Systems and methods for cultivating and distributing aquatic organisms

ABSTRACT

System and methods for monitoring the growth of an aquatic plant culture and detecting real-time characteristics associated with the aquatic plant culture aquatic plants. The systems and methods may include a control unit configured to perform an analysis of at least one image of an aquatic plant culture. The analysis may include processing at least one collected image to determine at least one physical characteristic or state of an aquatic plant culture. Systems and methods for distributing aquatic plant cultures are also provided. The distribution systems and methods may track and control the distribution of an aquatic plant culture based on information received from various sources. Systems and methods for growing and harvesting aquatic plants in a controlled and compact environment are also provided. The systems may include a bioreactor having a plurality of vertically stacked modules designed to contain the aquatic plants and a liquid growth medium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/635,949, filed on Mar. 2, 2015, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference thereto. This application claims priority to thefollowing U.S. Provisional Applications via U.S. application Ser. No.14/635,949, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference thereto:

U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/947,787, filed on Mar. 4, 2014;

U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/036,509, filed on Aug. 12, 2014; and

U.S. Provisional App. No. 62/096,269, filed Dec. 23, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the inventions generally relate to systems and methodsfor cultivating and distributing an aquatic organism. In particular,embodiments relate to monitoring and controlling the cultivation of anaquatic plant culture and the distribution of the aquatic plant culture.

Background Art

The global rise of non-infectious diseases chronic and degenerativediseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, asthma,cancer, dementias, hypertension, osteoporosis, attention deficitdisorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) maybe directly linked to unhealthy diets resulting from a high consumptionof processed foods with low nutritious qualities. Research indicatesthat vegetarian based diets along with a reduced consumption ofprocessed foods can lower the occurrence of cardio vascular diseases andcancer. The following references are examples of such research, each ofwhich is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto:

-   -   1) Francesca L Crowe et al., Risk of hospitalization or death        from ischemic heart disease among British vegetarians and        nonvegetarians: results from the EPIC-Oxford cohort study; 2013;        Am J Clin Nutr March 2013.    -   2) Dominique Ashen M. Vegetarian Diets in Cardiovascular        Prevention; Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2013 Aug. 9.    -   3) Tao Huang et al., Cardiovascular Disease Mortality and Cancer        Incidence in Vegetarians: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review;        Ann Nutr Metab 2012; 60:233-240.    -   4) University of Oxford, Vegetarianism can reduce risk of heart        disease by up to a third; Science Daily, 30 Jan. 2013.    -   5) Claire T McEvoy et al., Vegetarian diets, low-meat diets and        health: a review; Cambridge Journals—Public Health        Nutrition/Volume 15/Issue 12/December 2012, pp 2287-2294.

As such, there is an increasing desire for more nutritious foods. Thishas led to the rapid global development of the health and wellness foodsmarket, which reached $200B by 2011 and is forecasted to grow at a 5%CAGR over the next years to come. However, this segment continues tooperate through the agro-food non-sustainable practices and its supplychain inefficiencies. Almost 33% of the food grown for human consumptionis lost today, 65% for fruits & vegetables. And the agri-food industryis expected to account for 50% of the global greenhouse gas emission by2030. Furthermore, although this segment aims to promote healthier food,it eventually supplies “engineered” food that the majority of theconsumers does not trust and/or cannot afford on a daily base. As ToddRunestad, Editor-In-Chief of Functional Ingredients Magazine summarizedit: “Consumers understand the inherent healthiness of fruits andvegetables, so if you can just put them in a convenient and tastydelivery system, you're on your way.” Aquatic edible plants areattractive vegetables because they are convenient, tasty, and anexcellent source of protein, dietary fibers, essential minerals (dietarychemical elements), key vitamins, and other phytochemicals (e.g.antioxidants) needed for a healthy diet. Thus, cultivating aquaticplants and the distribution of these aquatic plants to consumers arefields of interest.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments include a method for monitoring a culture of aquaticplants in a bioreactor. The method includes performing an analysis of atleast one image of the culture. The analysis may include receiving theat least one image of the culture of aquatic plants from at least oneimage sensor disposed in the bioreactor and performing an imageprocessing technique on the at least one image to determine at least onephysical characteristic of the culture and performing an analysis todetermine at least one state of the culture. In some embodiments, themethod includes adjusting at least one growing condition based on one ormore of the at least one determined physical characteristic and the atleast one determined state.

In some embodiments, the growing condition is adjusted based on the atleast one determined physical characteristic and the at least onedetermined state.

In some embodiments, the at least one characteristic is determined basedon at least one physical parameter of the aquatic plant culture. The atleast one physical parameter can be at least one of: the surface area ofthe aquatic plants, the density of the aquatic plants, the amount oflight absorbed by the aquatic plants, the wavelength of light reflectedfrom the surface of the aquatic plants, the wavelength of light which istransmitted through the aquatic plants, and the distribution of thewavelengths in the reflected or transmitted light.

In some embodiments, the method includes storing in a database a timestamp of when the at least one image is received together with the atleast one parameter of the aquatic plant culture.

In some embodiments, the method includes determining the at least onestate by monitoring changes in the at least one physical characteristicover time.

In some embodiments, the at least one physical characteristic is atleast one of: a shape of an aquatic plant, a size of an aquatic plant, apigment of an aquatic plant, a texture of an aquatic plant, or atransparency of an aquatic plant.

In some embodiments, the at least one state is at least one of: ahealthy culture, a contaminated culture, a growth phase of the culture,a selective nutrients profile, a growth rate of the culture, a stressedculture, a biomass density, a mortality rate, a dead culture, a dyingculture, and a viability of the aquatic plants' growth.

In some embodiments, the growth phase of the culture is one of a lagphase, an exponential phase, a stationary phase, a death phase, and anyintermediate phase.

In some embodiments the culture of aquatic plants is selected from atleast one of: Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella, and Wolffia.

In some embodiments, the method includes storing in a database at leastone of: the at least one image, the at least one physicalcharacteristic, and the at least one state.

In some embodiments, the at least one growing condition includes atleast one of: a light level, light spectrum, light interval,temperature, fertilizer elements level, water level, vapor pressure,humidity, pH, ion concentration, oxygen concentration, CO₂ level,culture density, air flow, growth solution flow, and culture flow.

In some embodiments, the method includes operating at least one valve inresponse to determining at least one characteristic or the at least onestate.

In some embodiments the method is executed by one or more processors. Insome embodiments the culture is disposed in the bioreactor. In someembodiments the method is performed by a server in communication with acontrol unit. In some embodiments the method is performed by a controlunit.

In some embodiments, the at least one state of the culture of aquaticplants is determined based on the developmental stage of individualaquatic plants within the aquatic plant culture. In some embodiments,the developmental stage of the individual aquatic plants is determinedbased on the at least one characteristic. In some embodiments, thedevelopmental stage of the individual aquatic plants is determined by atleast one of: the presence of a connection area between a mother plantand a daughter plant and the absence of a connection area between amother plant and a daughter plant.

Some embodiments include a system for monitoring a culture of aquaticplants. The system includes a processor in communication with at leastone image sensor disposed in a bioreactor and a memory in communicationwith the processor, containing instructions executed by the processor.The processor is configured to receive at least one image of the cultureof aquatic plants from at least one image sensor disposed in thebioreactor, perform image processing on the at least one image todetermine at least one physical characteristic of the aquatic plantculture, perform an analysis to determine at least one state of theculture, and control operation of the bioreactor based on one or moreof: the determination of the at least one physical characteristic andthe determination of the at least one state.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to monitor the changesin the at least one characteristic by using at least one mathematicalmodel.

In some embodiments, the processor is in communication with thebioreactor via a server over a network. In some embodiments, theprocessor is located in a control unit within the bioreactor.

In some embodiments, the bioreactor includes at least one input unit forreceiving an aquatic organism used as a starter material for an aquaticplant culture, at least one growing unit for growing the aquatic plantculture, at least one harvesting unit for harvesting the aquatic plantculture, and at least one output unit for providing a consumable derivedfrom the aquatic plant culture.

In some embodiments, the processer is further configured to control thebioreactor by adjusting at least one growing condition.

Some embodiments include a bioreactor for growing an aquatic plantculture. The bioreactor includes at least one input unit for receivingan aquatic organism used as a starter material for an aquatic plantculture, at least one growing unit for growing the aquatic plantculture, at least one harvesting unit for harvesting the aquatic plantculture, at least one output unit for providing a consumable derivedfrom the aquatic plant culture, and a control unit. The control unit isconfigured receive an image from an imaging system disposed in thebioreactor, the imaging system including at least one image sensor,determine at least one characteristic related to the aquatic plantculture by performing at least one image processing technique on the atleast one image, and control the operation of the at least onebioreactor units based on the determination of the at least onecharacteristic.

In some embodiments, the bioreactor includes a modification unit foraltering the aquatic plant culture in terms of ingredient content and acustomization unit for customizing the consumable provided to an enduser.

In some embodiments, the imaging system includes a plurality of lightsources. In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources illuminatethe aquatic plant culture with various forms of light having differentwavelengths or different illumination intensities. In some embodiments,the imaging system is configured to collect light reflected off theculture of aquatic plants and light transmitted through the culture ofaquatic plants. In some embodiments, the imaging system includes atleast one light source positioned above the aquatic plant culture and atleast one light source positioned below the aquatic plant culture.

Some embodiments include a computer program product with anon-transitory computer readable medium having computer program logicrecorded thereon. When the computer program logic is executed by one ormore processors of a server computer system it causes the servercomputer system to receive at least one image of a culture of aquaticplants from at least one image sensor disposed in a bioreactor; performimage processing on the at least one image to determine at least onephysical characteristic of the aquatic plant culture; and controloperation of the at least one bioreactor based on the determination ofthe at least one physical characteristic.

Some embodiments include an apparatus for growing aquatic plants in acontrolled and compact environment, the apparatus including a stack ofmodules, the stack of modules including a plurality of verticallystacked individual modules, each individual module designed to containthe aquatic plants and a liquid growth medium. At least one first valvein communication with at least one individual module, the at least onefirst valve enabling the flow of at least one of: a predetermined volumeof the aquatic plants and a predetermined volume the liquid growthmedium. A first vertical raceway in communication with the at least onefirst valve and connected to the plurality of vertically stackedindividual modules, the first vertical raceway enabling the flow of atleast one of: the predetermined volume of liquid growth medium and thepredetermined volume of aquatic plants from a higher individual modulein the stack of modules to a lower individual module in the stack ofmodules.

In some embodiments, the first valve is a static valve.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one second valve incommunication with at least one individual module, the at least onesecond valve being in communication with a second vertical raceway andbeing configured to harvest a predetermined volume of aquatic plants.

In some embodiments, the second vertical raceway is connected to aseparation unit. In some embodiments, the second vertical raceway isconnected to a harvesting unit.

In some embodiments, the first vertical raceway comprises a plurality ofinterconnected sub-channels and each of the plurality of interconnectedsub-channels is in communication with at least one first valve.

In some embodiments, the at least one first valve includes at least onebaffle. In some embodiments, the at least one second valve includes atleast one baffle.

In some embodiments, each individual module is a horizontal racewayconfigured to grow the culture of aquatic plants.

In some embodiments, each individual module in the stack of modulesincludes at least one first valve. In some embodiments, each individualmodule in the stack of modules includes at least one second valve.

In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a modification unit incommunication with the stack of modules.

In some embodiments, the at least one second valve is a dynamic valve.

In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a storage unitconnected to the modification unit for storage of recycled liquid growthmedium.

In some embodiments, the modification unit is preforms at least one of:sterilization, disinfection, essential salts dissolving, fertilizerdissolving, aeration, a PH adjustment, and a temperature adjustment.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one of: at leastone light source, at least one air flow source, at least one inlet toreceive air flow, and at least one outlet to release excess pressure.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a control unit, the controlunit being configured to control the flow of the predetermined volume ofthe aquatic plants and the predetermined volume of the liquid growthmedium. In some embodiments, the control unit is configured to controlthe flow of the predetermined volume of the aquatic plants and thepredetermined volume of the liquid growth medium by controlling the flowliquid growth medium into a single individual module in the plurality ofvertically stacked individual modules.

In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a biomass quantificationunit configured to perform in-line measurements of plant floating volume(PFV) on the aquatic plants.

Some embodiments are directed towards a cartridge for distributing anaquatic plant culture including a body having a plurality of sealedcapsules where at least one of the sealed capsules contains an aquaticplant culture in a preservation medium and at least one of the sealedcapsules contains a fertilizer stock solution.

In some embodiments, the aquatic plant culture is selected from thegroup consisting of: Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella, andWolffia. In some embodiments, the aquatic plant culture is in apredetermined life stage. In some embodiments, the predetermined lifestage is a spring life stage. In some embodiments, the predeterminedlife stage is a winter life stage.

In some embodiments, the cartridge includes an identification label. Insome embodiments, the identification label includes at least one of: abarcode, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a quickresponse code.

In some embodiments, the identification label includes coded informationrelated to the cartridge and the coded information includes informationrelated to at least one of: the contents of one or more sealed capsules,the type of aquatic plant culture contained within at least one of thesealed capsules, the type of fertilizer stock solution contained withinat least one of the sealed capsules, the date the capsules were sealed,the type of preservation medium, optimum growing conditions for the typeof aquatic plant culture contained within at least one of the sealedcapsules, the location where the capsules were sealed, a SKU number, anda fertilizer stock solution protocol matching the aquatic plant culturecontained within the capsules.

In some embodiments, the identification label includes coded informationand the coded information includes authentication information related tothe source of the cartridge.

In some embodiments, the cartridge includes a sensor. In someembodiments, the sensor includes at least one of: a temperature sensor,a pressure sensor, an oxygen sensor, a light sensor, and a pH sensor.

In some embodiments, the preservation medium is liquid. In someembodiments, the preservation medium is a gel.

In some embodiments, the fertilizer stock solution includes at least onemacro- or micro-element including, for example, nitrogen, phosphorous,iron, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, compounds containingat least one macro- or micro-element, and combinations thereof. In someembodiments, the fertilizer stock solution is a certified organicfertilizer solution.

In some embodiments, the aquatic plant culture is a seasoned aquaticplant culture.

Some embodiments are directed towards a bioreactor including an inputunit configured to receive a cartridge containing an aquatic plantculture, the input unit including an extractor configured to remove theaquatic plant culture from the cartridge; an incubation unit forreceiving the aquatic plant culture from the input unit; a growing unitfor growing the aquatic plant culture; a harvesting unit for harvestingthe aquatic plant culture; and a control unit. The control unit may beconfigured to read an identification label associated with the cartridgereceived at the input unit to obtain cartridge identificationinformation and send the cartridge identification information to aserver.

In some embodiments, the bioreactor also includes a memory and thecontrol unit is further configured to store the cartridge identificationinformation in the memory.

In some embodiments, the server comprises a database for storing thecartridge identification information.

In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to record atime stamp of when the aquatic plant culture is removed from thecartridge and send the time stamp to the server. In some embodiments,the server is configured to track the distribution of the cartridgebased on the cartridge identification information and the time stamp.

In some embodiments, the server is configured to perform at least one ofthe following actions based on the cartridge identification informationand the recorded time stamp: (a) request a new cartridge shipment forthe bioreactor; (b) adjust a shipment date for a subsequent cartridgeshipment; (c) adjust the aquatic plant culture in a cartridge for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (d) customize the contents of a cartridgeto be sent to a specific location; (e) send a status report for thebioreactor to a central processing location; (f) adjust the growthconditions in another bioreactor; (g) adjust a preservation medium for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (h) adjust a fertilizer stock solutionfor a subsequent cartridge shipment; and (i) adjust the harvestingschedule in another bioreactor.

In some embodiments, adjusting the harvesting schedule in the anotherbioreactor changes a life stage at which another aquatic plant cultureis harvested and packaged into another cartridge. In some embodiments,adjusting the harvesting schedule in another bioreactor changes the timewithin a life stage at which another aquatic plant culture is harvestedand packaged into another cartridge.

In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to receivean image from an imaging system disposed in the bioreactor, the imagingsystem comprising at least one image sensor configured to image theaquatic plant culture in at least one of the cartridge and theincubation unit; determine at least one characteristic related to theaquatic plant culture; and send the at least one characteristic relatedto the aquatic plant culture to the server.

In some embodiments, the server is configured to perform at least one ofthe following actions based on the determination of a characteristic ofthe aquatic plant culture: (a) request a new cartridge shipment for thebioreactor; (b) adjust a shipment date for a subsequent cartridgeshipment; (c) adjust the aquatic plant culture in a cartridge for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (d) customize the contents of a cartridgeto be sent to a specific location; (e) send a status report for thebioreactor to a central processing location; (f) adjust the growthconditions in another bioreactor; (g) adjust a preservation medium for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (h) adjust a fertilizer stock solutionfor a subsequent cartridge shipment; (i) adjust the harvesting schedulein another bioreactor; and (j) adjust one or more substances housedwithin a cartridge for a subsequent cartridge shipment.

Some embodiments are directed towards a system for growing an aquaticplant culture including a server and a bioreactor in communication withthe server. The bioreactor may include an input unit configured toreceive a cartridge containing a culture of aquatic plants, the inputunit comprising an extractor configured to remove the aquatic plantculture from the cartridge; an incubation unit for receiving the aquaticplant culture from the input unit; a growing unit for growing theaquatic plant culture; a harvesting unit for harvesting the aquaticplant culture; and a control unit. The control unit may be configured toread an identification label associated with the cartridge received atthe input unit to obtain cartridge identification information and sendthe cartridge identification information to the server.

Some embodiments are directed towards a method of distributing anaquatic plant culture including growing an aquatic plant culture;harvesting a portion of the aquatic plant culture when the aquatic plantculture is in a predetermined life stage; packaging the portion of theaquatic plant culture and a preservation medium in a sealed capsule of acartridge; and distributing the cartridge to a remote location, theremote location determined based on one or more of: a need for theportion of the aquatic plant culture, a distribution time required tosend the cartridge to the remote location, and the predetermined lifestage of the portion of the aquatic plant culture.

In some embodiments, growing the aquatic plant culture comprisesmaturing the aquatic plant culture through an entire life cycle beforeharvesting.

In some embodiments, the method also includes packaging at least onefertilizer stock solution in another sealed capsule of the cartridge. Insome embodiments, the type of the fertilizer stock solution isdetermined based on the species of the aquatic plant culture.

In some embodiments, the type of preservation medium is determined basedon at least one of the species of the aquatic plant culture and thepredetermined nature life stage of the portion of the aquatic plantculture.

In some embodiments, the aquatic plant culture is grown in a bioreactor.

Some embodiments are directed towards a distribution system fordistributing an aquatic plant culture including a source bioreactor forgrowing an aquatic plant culture; a point-of-use bioreactor for growinga portion of the aquatic plant culture received from the sourcebioreactor; and a server in communication with the source bioreactor andthe point-of-use bioreactor. The server may be configured to coordinatethe distribution of the portion of the aquatic plant culture from thesource bioreactor to the point-of-use bioreactor based on one or moreof: a need for the portion of the aquatic plant culture, a distributiontime required to send the cartridge to the point-of-use bioreactor, anda life stage of the portion of the aquatic plant culture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1D are illustrations of horizontal raceways.

FIG. 2 is an aerial image of an aquaculture farm for growing aquaticplans.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a bioreactor system according toan embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a network in communication with abioreactor control unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an imaging system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram of a bioreactor system according toan embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a schematic block diagram of a bioreactor system according toan embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart describing the operation of determining at leastone characteristic related to an aquatic culture according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the operation of determining aselective nutrients profile according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing the operation of determining a growthphase or growth rate of a culture of aquatic plants according to anembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart describing the detection of contamination eventsin a culture of aquatic plants according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart describing the operation of determining aviability state or health statues of aquatic plants growth according toan embodiment.

FIGS. 12A-12B show histograms describing the growth of a culture ofaquatic plants according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an image of aquatic plants in various stages of development.

FIG. 14 is an image of a healthy culture of aquatic plants found in thelag phase according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an image of a healthy culture of aquatic plants found in theexponential phase according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an image of a healthy culture of aquatic plants found in thestationary phase according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 17A-17C show distribution graphs for various phases of growth fora culture of aquatic plants. FIG. 17A shows a distribution graph forearly growth (lag phase). FIG. 17B shows a distribution graph for atransition to high rate growth (exponential phase). FIG. 17C shows adistribution graph for high rate growth (exponential phase).

FIG. 18 is an image of a contaminated culture of aquatic plantsaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 19A-19B is a flowchart describing the operation of growing anaquatic culture according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 20A-20B is a flowchart describing the operation of delivering anoutput of consumable substance according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart describing the operation of adjusting a growingcondition in a bioreactor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation of asystem according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 23A-23B are graphs illustrating exemplary results of an imageprocessing technique performed on a culture of aquatic plants accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a representation of a method for processing an imageaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 25A-25B are graphs illustrating exemplary results of a method forprocessing an image according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of a distribution system foraquatic plant cultures according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a cartridge for distributing aquaticplant cultures according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a cross-section of the cartridge in FIG. 27 along the line28-28′ in FIG. 27 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 is schematic of a life cycle for an aquatic plant cultureaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 30A-30B show a flow chart illustrating an initialization processaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a growing apparatus having a plurality of stacked modulesaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a growing apparatus having a plurality of stacked modulesaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 33A is a growing apparatus having a plurality of stacked modulesaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 33B is a schematic illustrating theoperation of the valves in FIG. 33A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a module along line A-A′ in FIGS.33A, 35A, 35B, 35C, and 35D.

FIG. 35A is a module according to an embodiment. FIG. 35B is a moduleaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 35C is a module according to anembodiment. FIG. 35D is a module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart describing an operation for growing andharvesting aquatic plants according to an embodiment.

FIG. 37 is an exemplary image of a bioreactor system according to anembodiment.

FIG. 38 is an aerial view of a module according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 39A-39B are cross-sectional views of the module in FIG. 38 showingthe operation of a valve according to one embodiment.

FIG. 40 illustrates the operation of a valve according to an embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of stacked modulesaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 42 is an aerial view of a module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 43 shows cross-sectional views of the module in FIG. 42illustrating the operation of a valve according to an embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of a module according to anembodiment.

FIG. 45 is a graph illustrating re-floating distance.

FIG. 46 is an exemplary image of a module according to an embodiment.

FIG. 47A is an aerial view of a module according to an embodiment. FIG.47B is a cross-sectional view of the module in FIG. 47A.

FIG. 48A is an aerial view of a module according to an embodiment. FIG.48B is a cross-sectional view of the module in FIG. 48A.

FIG. 49A is an aerial view of a module according to an embodiment. FIG.49B is a cross-sectional view of the module in FIG. 49A.

FIG. 50 is a comparison between modules illustrating a ramped flooraccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 51A is an aerial view of a module according to an embodiment. FIG.51B is a cross-sectional view of the module in FIG. 51A.

FIGS. 52A-52C illustrate a biomass harvesting and quantification unitaccording to an embodiment and the operation thereof.

FIG. 53 is a schematic depicting the measurement of PFV.

FIG. 54 is a graph illustrating the relationship between PFV and WWaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 55A-55B are graphs illustrating the relationship between PFV andDW according to various embodiments.

FIG. 56 is a sterilization unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 57 is a sterilization unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 58 is a sterilization unit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 59 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system inwhich embodiments may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals are used to indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. References to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of thepresent inventions. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of thevariety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field,and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within thespirit and scope of the inventions.

As used herein the term “aquatic organism” includes all biologicalorganisms living or growing in, on, or near the water such as, but notlimited to, fish, molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, otherinvertebrates and their lifestages, as well as aquatic (e.g., marine andfresh water) plants. Types of aquatic plants include, but are notlimited to, algae, Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella, Wolffia, andthe like. While embodiments described herein may refer to “aquaticplants,” “an aquatic plant culture,” or “culture of aquatic plants” anyof the embodiments descried herein may be used to grow, culture,harvest, etc. any type of “aquatic organism.”

The convenience, taste, and high nutrient valve of aquatic organisms,such as aquatic plants, makes cultivating and distribution of aquaticorganisms desirable. However, during cultivation, an aquatic plantculture is typically subject to various time consuming analyses,performed under the direction of an expert trying to detect the state ofthe culture. Hence there is a need to provide quicker, simpler, and moreefficient ways to determine parameters related to aquatic plant growth,thus increasing control, efficiency, and performance, while minimizingthe need for human involvement. Moreover, there is a need for monitoringthe culture for early detection of stressful conditions and invadersthat will allow for continuous adjustment and optimization of conditionsrelated to the growth of the culture, thus increasing the safety,quality, and yield volume of the harvest.

One common way to monitor the growth is by analyzing samples extractedfrom the culture at predefined intervals. This involves trainedpersonnel, the use of specific modalities, tools, and equipment within alaboratory facility. For example, these days, microscopic analyses areusually performed by an expert in the field to determine morphologicalfeatures of the culture. Moreover, the microscopic observations are usedto identify the existence of bio-contaminants (e.g., bacteria, algae,fungi) and/or selective nutrients that may be found in the culture(e.g., antioxidants, dietary chemical elements, proteins, etc.).However, such analyses are time consuming and expensive, which limitstheir frequent use in common practice.

Moreover, these analyses are performed by different tests specific forselected parameters, and lack the power of an integrated multi-parameteranalysis. For example, organism counting may be used to monitor thegrowth of the culture over time, for example, by determining a biomassdensity, growth acceleration, growth slowdown, growth phase (e.g., lag,exponential, stationary), mortality rate, etc. However, even state ofthe art counter modalities provide only one parameter without theability to detect early transitions and without the ability to suggestrelated factors and trends.

Thus, there is a need for a system, which may include real-time,continuous, on-site testing, with a possibility for automated andautonomous implementation, and with a possibility for Wi-Ficommunication and remote control. These features will facilitateaccurate and highly potent real-time culture management and performanceoptimization.

A horizontal raceway, also known as a flow-through system, is anartificial channel used in aquaculture to culture aquatic organisms, forexample, fish, algae, and aquatic plants such as, Spirodela, Landoltia,Lemna, Wolffiella, Wolffia, and the like. The traditional horizontalraceway typically includes a continuous circuit flow system used formixing the aquatic organisms while increasing aeration and homogenizingnourishment ingredients. The continuous circuit flow is used to providea required level of liquid growth medium, which allows the aquaticorganisms to be cultured at high densities within the raceway.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a horizontal raceway 100 may be found in the formof a rectangular channel containing a current flowing liquid, forexample, water, flowing from a supply end to an exit end. In theaquaculture industry, in order to create a large mass of aquaticorganisms, the aquatic organisms may be cultured in a double horizontalraceway. The double horizontal raceway may be found in a form of anellipse containing a circuit water flow from a supply end to an exit end(shown as 110 in reference to FIG. 1B) or in a closed ellipse with acontinuous circuit flow having supply and end points located at anypoint on the ellipse (shown as 120 in FIG. 1C and 200 in FIG. 2). Somehorizontal raceways may include a continuous meandering channel (shownas 130 in FIG. 1D). Some horizontal raceways, for example horizontalraceway 130, may include a paddle wheel 142 and one or more baffles 144.Horizontal raceways facilitate the culturing of large amounts of aquaticorganisms over a large culture area from single points of feeding,monitoring, and harvesting.

The nature of the horizontal raceway, as currently implemented in theart, has various limitations. As exemplified in FIG. 2, while ahorizontal raceway structure permits the growth of a large mass ofaquatic organisms, it requires a large, flat, and open surface area.Furthermore, aquaculture operations using conventional horizontalraceway configurations may be costly. For example, the loading anddischarging of large volumes of water solution and harvested biomass canbe a costly operation. Large horizontal raceways may also requirecomplex cleaning systems, sensitive control systems, etc. Moreover, highcosts for the required infrastructure and construction of large pondsmay also be a burden for the aquaculture industry.

A conventional aquaculture farm may be equipped with a plurality ofcontrol units, which separately control individual horizontal racewaychannels. In such a configuration the growth of the aquatic organismsmay be inconsistent within the aquaculture farm depending on the growthconditions provided to each horizontal raceway channel. Inconsistentgrowth may result in an inhomogeneous final product of aquatic organismsproduced by the aquaculture farm.

As such efficient control of the environment needed for optimal growthof aquatic plants is of interest. Moreover, a compact and cost effectivesystem for growing the aquatic plants is of interest.

Often times an aquatic organism, such as an aquatic plant culture, isdependent on its ecosystem (e.g., amount of light, temperature, naturalnutrients, etc.) for proper growth and sustainability. Any time anaquatic plant culture is removed from its optimal ecosystem, it may besubject to deterioration, contamination, or death. As such, thetransportation and/or distribution of an aquatic plant culture in anenvironment that does not mimic its optimal ecosystem is a sensitiveoperation that needs to be properly controlled to ensure aquatic plantsare delivered to their destination in a viable state.

For example, an aquatic plant culture should be protected from harmfulconditions (such as high temperature) during transportation.Additionally, the packing and distribution of an aquatic plant cultureshould ensure that a user receives a viable culture that is suitable forhis or her needs. In the event that a non-viable culture is received bya user, a cause and solution for the delivery of a non-viable cultureshould be identified to prevent recurrence.

Additionally, it may be preferable to package and transport an aquaticplant culture in a way that minimizes transportation and distributioncosts. For example, if an aquatic plant culture can be transported atambient temperature (e.g., in the range of 18° C. to 25° C.), costsassociated with regulating the temperature of the culture duringtransportation can be reduced. Furthermore, if an aquatic plant cultureremains viable within a shipping container for an extended period oftime (e.g., approximately one week or more), costs associated withexpedited shipping can be reduced.

Moreover, monitoring and controlling of a distribution of cartridgesbased on information received from one or more components within thedistribution system may increase the efficiency of distributing thecartridges, and may facilitate quick identification and rectification ofany problems within the distribution system.

Embodiments of the present inventions described herein, or elementsthereof, facilitate efficient monitoring, cultivation, harvesting,and/or distribution of aquatic organisms, such as an aquatic plantculture, as well as other objectives.

In some embodiments, systems and methods for continuous monitoring ofaquatic plant growth, for example, an aquatic culture of Wolffia areprovided. These systems and methods may facilitate early detection ofcharacteristics associated with an aquatic plant culture. The system mayreceive at least one image of a culture of aquatic plants. And thesystem may adjust an image acquisition set-up (e.g. image sensor,optics, and light) per requested detection. A culture of aquatic plantscan include one or more aquatic plants or a combination of differenttypes of aquatic plants. The system may identify at least one parameterof a plurality of parameters related to at least one characteristic ofthe aquatic plants by employing at least one image processing techniqueon each image of the culture.

The image processing technique may include, but is not limited to, atechnique executed by a processor using an algorithm to recognizevarious parameters associated with the aquatic plants found in areceived image. For example, the algorithm may be a shape or colorrecognition algorithm that is capable of determining the color and shapeof the aquatic plants by analyzing light reflected by and transmittedthrough a culture of aquatic plants. The computer algorithm may includea process for scoring a number of characteristics for an aquatic plantculture. The computer algorithm may also include an algorithm forcomparing a received image with reference data related to parametersand/or characteristics from stored images, including but not limited to,baseline images, reference images previously collected from the sameculture, and/or reference images previously collected from a differentculture stored in a database to determine a growth phase and/or currentstate of the aquatic plants.

The identified parameters may include, but are not limed to, the surfacearea of the aquatic plants, the density of the aquatic plants, theamount of light absorbed by the aquatic plants, the wavelength of lightreflected from the surface of the aquatic plants, the wavelength oflight that is transmitted through the aquatic plants, and thedistribution of the wavelengths in the reflected or transmitted light.The system may then determine at least one characteristic of the culturebased on the parameters. The characteristics of the aquatic plants mayinclude, but are not limited to, a shape of the aquatic plant, a size ofthe aquatic plant, a pigment (color) of the aquatic plant, a texture ofthe aquatic plant, or a transparency of the aquatic plant. The systemmay then classify and score the aquatic culture based on the parametersrelated to at least one characteristic to determine a state of theaquatic culture. The state of the aquatic culture may be, but is notlimited to a biomass density, a growth acceleration rate, a growthslowdown rate, a healthy culture, a contaminated culture, a stressedculture, a dead culture, a dying culture, selective macronutrients ormicronutrients concentration/profile, a growth phase of the culture, amorality rate, etc. A stressed culture may indicate a lack of at leastone fertilizer element, extreme light or temperature conditions, or poorpH conditions. Furthermore, the system may be configured to identifycontamination events and levels, which may occur as a result of aninvasion of the culture and growth by bacteria, algae, fungi, etc.

The systems and methods for continuous monitoring of aquatic plantgrowth may be used to cultivate individual aquatic plants cultures or aplurality of aquatic plant cultures. The systems and methods maycontinuously monitor one or more aquatic plant cultures within one ormore bioreactors. And data collected from a bioreactor (e.g., datacollected from performing an image processing technique) may be used toefficiently control the monitoring and growth of one or more aquaticplant cultures in one or more bioreactors. Moreover, data collected froma bioreactor may be used to facilitate distribution of one or moreaquatic plant cultures.

FIG. 3 shows a system 300 for cultivating, harvesting, and outputting aculture of aquatic plants according to an embodiment. System 300includes a bioreactor 310. Bioreactor 310 may have one or more growingunits 330 adapted to grow one or more aquatic plants in the system, oneor more harvesting units 340 adapted to harvest one or more aquaticplants in the system, and one or more processing units 350 adapted tomodify and/or customize one or more aquatic plants harvested from theone or more harvesting units 340. A control unit 370 may be configuredto control one or more operations of system 300.

System 300 may also include an input unit 320 adapted to receive anaquatic organism used as a starter material or organism (e.g., anaquatic plant culture in a predetermined life stage), fertilizers,water, and air. The aquatic organism starter material may be, forexample, but not by way of limitation, a plant from the Lemnaceae family(Duckweed), especially, from the Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiellaand Wolffia genera, edible micro and macro-algae. In another embodimentstarter materials of aquatic organisms that are not necessarily edibleare used. The starter material may be in various development states andforms, for example, but not by way of limitation, in a pre-matured ormatured plant form, in attenuated form, in dormant form, in etiolatedform, and/or in seed form.

System 300 may also include one or more output units 360 adapted tosupply the aquatic plant and/or a culture conditioned medium as, forexample, a foodstuff, a medicinal substance, a cosmetic substance, achemical substance, or other useful products. In some embodiments,output unit 360 may output an aquatic plant culture in an unaltered form(e.g., at a source bioreactor 2602 for packaging and distribution or ata POU bioreactor 2604 for consumption as discussed below).

In some embodiments, there are two consecutive steps performed in inputunit 320: an acceptance step and an incubation step. The acceptance stepincludes receiving the starter material from the delivery package (e.g.a capsule/cartridge, such as capsules 2702 of cartridge 2700) into anincubation-growing chamber 321 while keeping and grading sterileconditions. The incubation step includes the time and conditionsnecessary to allow the starter material to mature prior to beingtransferred to growing unit 330. The incubation-growing chamber 321 mayinclude one or more sensors, for example sensors 372 and image sensors374, which can deliver data to control unit 370 in order to: (1) ensurea safe/contamination free state for the new batch, and (2) to ensurethat the started material reaches an acceptable maturation state. Insome embodiments, keeping these two steps within input unit 320, ratherthan including them in growing unit 330, may allow for the simple andquick replacement of a new culture in the event of an error related tothe new culture.

Input unit 320 may include an extractor 322 for accessing one or morecapsules/cartridges (e.g., capsules 2702 or cartridges 2700) andextracting one or more aquatic plant cultures and fertilizer stocksolutions from the capsules/cartridges. Extractor 322 may include anysuitable mechanism for accessing and extracting one or more aquaticplant cultures and/or fertilizer stock solutions. In some embodiments,extractor 322 may include a pipetting type device with a piercing endfor accessing and extracting one or more aquatic plant cultures and/orfertilizer stock solutions. In some embodiments, extractor 322 mayinclude a vacuum device for extracting one or more plant cultures and/orfertilizer stock solutions. In some embodiments, extractor 322 mayinclude a vacuum device for extracting one or more plant cultures and/orfertilizer stock solutions. In some embodiments, extractor may include amovable mechanical device (e.g., a mechanical arm) for moving betweendifferent positions (e.g., from an extraction position for extracting anaquatic plant and/or fertilizer to a dispensing position of dispensingthe aquatic plant and/or fertilizer into an incubation unit or growingunit. In some embodiments, extractor 322 may include a washing unit forwashing out the contents of one or more capsules. In operation, controlunit 370 may read and store information located on labels and/or sensor(e.g., identification labels 2720 and/or cartridge sensors 2722), forexample in a memory 378 of bioreactor 310. In some embodiments, thereading and storage of information may be performed while acapsule/cartridge is located in input unit 320. Additionally, controlunit 370 may record a time stamp of when a capsule/cartridge is receivedby input unit 320 and/or when one or more capsules of a cartridge areaccessed by extractor 322.

Control unit 370 may be configured to control the operation of each unit(320, 330, 340, 350, 360) and monitor system 300 in real-time bycollecting data from sensors 372 (372-1 through 372-n) and image sensors374 (374-1 through 374-n). Control unit 370 may be configured to monitorand adjust the growing conditions in each of the units using sensors 372and/or 374. “Real-time” as used herein may include delays inherent totransmission technology, delays designed to optimize resources, andother inherent or desirable delays that would be apparent to one ofskill in the art. In some embodiments, some or all of thesetransmissions may be delayed from real time, or may occur aftercompletion of specific operations.

Sensors 372 can include, but are not limited to, temperature sensors,humidity sensors, pH sensors, CO₂ sensors, light sensors, flow sensors,fluid level sensors, etc. Image sensors 374 may be cameras adapted toprovide at least one image of the culture of aquatic plants. Controlunit 370 may be configured to monitor and analyze data collected fromsensors 372 and/or 374 and control culture conditions, the process flow,and operation of units 320, 330, 340, 350, and 360 based on the datacollected from sensors 372 and/or 374. In some embodiments, bioreactor310 is a self-contained unit that includes input unit 320, growing unit330, harvesting unit 340, processing unit 350, output unit 360, andcontrol unit 370 within a single housing 312.

In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3, bioreactor 310 isa self-contained bioreactor 310 having an on-board control unit 370. Insome embodiments, control unit 370 may be in communication with anetwork for collecting, storing, and/or processing information relatedto operating bioreactor 310. In such embodiments, the network mayinclude a device, such as a server, for collecting, storing, and/orprocessing information related to operating a plurality of bioreactors.

In some embodiments, control unit 370 is adapted to collect and processdata/parameters related to the detection of characteristics associatedwith an aquatic plant culture. In some embodiments, control unit 370 maybe in communication with a network 380 for collecting, storing,analyzing, and/or processing data related to the detection ofcharacteristics associated with an aquatic plant culture. FIG. 4 is anexemplary and non-limiting schematic diagram of network 380 forcollecting, storing, analyzing, and/or processing data related todetection of characteristics associated with a culture of aquaticplants. Network 380 can be a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a metro area network (MAN), the worldwide web (WWW), theInternet, implemented as wired and/or wireless networks, and anycombinations thereof. Network 380 may receive and/or collect data fromsensors 372 and 374 connected to control unit 370 and communicativelyconnected to network 380.

Each image sensor 374 may be adapted to provide at least one image of anaquatic plant culture. Such culture may include, but is not limited to,a species of Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella, Wolffia, and thelike, or a combination of thereof. A database 382 may be communicativelyconnected to the network 380. Database 382 may be used to maintaininformation to be used for detection of characteristics related to theaquatic plant culture.

Network 380 includes a server 384. Server 384 may include a processor386 and a memory 388. Memory 388 contains instructions executed by theprocessor 386. Server 384 may receive at least one image of the cultureof aquatic plants, for example, from at least one image sensor 374. Inresponse to receiving an image, server 384 may be configured to identifyat least one parameter of a plurality of parameters related to acharacteristic of the aquatic plants by employing at least one imageprocessing technique on each image received. And, in turn, server 384may determine one or more characteristics of the aquatic plant culture.The plurality of characteristics may include, but are not limited to,morphological features (e.g., shape, size), color features (e.g., one ormore aquatic plants' pigments), a texture of the aquatic plants, atransparency level of the aquatic plants, etc. For example, server 384may be configured to identify one or more individual aquatic plantsand/or one or more aquatic plants found in different reproduction stages(e.g., different stages of growth). The aquatic plants may be found indifferent sizes, which may be measured by server 384 based on theirsurface area. Moreover, server 384 may be configured to identify aquaticplants with different textures, for example, a smooth texture, or atexture with dotted areas. These and other various non-limitingembodiments of the image processing techniques are described herein.

In some embodiments, the color of the aquatic plants may be determinedby the pigments of elements, such as, carotenoids and/or chlorophyllsand/or flavenoids found in the aquatic plants. The aquatic plants'pigments may be determined based on their density, reflected lightwavelengths and their absorption spectrum. For example, carotenoids withapproximate absorbance of about 420 nm to about 480 nm may have anorange pigment. As another example, typical chlorophylls have a greenpigment that can be identified by approximate absorbance maxima ofbetween about 430 nm and about 662 nm when it comes to chlorophyll a,while chlorophyll b has approximate maxima between about 453 nm andabout 642 nm. A healthy or unhealthy aquatic plant color may bedetermined by the amount and distribution of the colors of the aquaticplant's pigments. An unhealthy aquatic plant's colors are colors out ofa healthy scheme, for a given aquatic plant culture. For example, ahealthy color scheme may result in a hue of green and yellow tones.

In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to determine a numberof aquatic plants found in the culture and a number of aquatic plantswith the same color tones and/or scheme, shape, etc. found in theculture. In some embodiments, each identified parameter is saved indatabase 382 in an entry that also includes a time stamp of when arespective image is received. In some embodiments, server 384 may beconfigured to store a determined characteristic and/or state, such as adetermined growth phase, in database 382 along with a time stamp.Database 382 may serve as a log containing some or all of theinformation, including the image, identified parameters, and determinedcharacteristics and states, along with time stamps for monitoring anaquatic plant culture over time.

Server 384 may also be configured to analyze the parameters,characteristics, and their time stamps as recorded in database 382 todetermine at least one state of the aquatic culture. The state may be, agrowth acceleration rate, a growth slowdown rate, stress level,mortality level and/or rate, and so on. Each state may be determined byevaluating changes in the identified parameters and/or characteristicsover time. For example, server 384 may use at least one mathematicalmodel to determine a biomass density of the culture. Furthermore, server384 may be configured to facilitate early detection of contaminants byidentifying changes in one or more of the pigments, the texture, and themorphological features of the aquatic plants. Contamination may occur asa result of an invasion of living elements such as bacteria, algae,fungi, and the like, or as a result of a chemical contamination by oneor more elements or substances. It should be noted that in a case ofcontamination, the pigments of the aquatic plants may change, forexample, from a hue of yellow and green tones to a hue of red and browntones. In addition, the morphological appearance of the aquatic plantsmay change due to the presence of contaminating elements or substances,for example, one or more aquatic plants may have an unsmooth textureand/or a distorted shape. In addition, foreign bodies and foreignshapes, which are different from the aquatic plants' typical shapes, canbe detected as contamination elements.

In some embodiments, each parameter of an aquatic plant culture may besaved in database 382 in an entry that also includes a time stamp ofwhen a respective image is received and/or taken. In some embodiments,server 384 may be configured to store a determined characteristic and/orstate, such as a determined growth phase, in database 382 along with atime stamp. As such, database 382 may serve as a log containing some orall of the information, including the image, identified parameters, anddetermined characteristics and states, along with time stamps formonitoring an aquatic plant culture over time.

In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to generate aselective nutrients profile of, for example, antioxidants, proteins,dietary chemical elements, etc. found in the aquatic plants. Moreover,server 384 may be configured to determine a growth phase of the culture(e.g., lag phase, exponential phase, stationary phase, death phase, andany intermediate phase).

During the lag phase of the growth cycle, the aquatic plants arematuring and not yet able to vegetatively propagate. In the lag phase asignificant portion of the aquatic plants are found as individualaquatic plants with a low transparency level. Moreover, the distributionof the colors of the aquatic plants' pigments in the lag phase may bemore green than yellow due to the active pigments (e.g., chlorophylls)found in the aquatic plants. The exponential phase is the period whenthe individual aquatic plants are vegetatively propagating.

In the exponential phase most of the aquatic plants are connected to oneor more aquatic plants (because of a mother-daughter pairing after adaughter plant sprouts from a mother plant). The transparency level ofthe aquatic plants is usually relatively low and their total pigment isusually significantly green. During the exponential phase the number ofmother-daughter pairs at different maturation states may be measured(e.g., using one or more image processing techniques discussed herein).The growth rate in this phase depends on the growth conditions, whichaffect the frequency of aquatic plant reproduction and the probabilityof both mother and daughter aquatic plants surviving.

The stationary phase is the period in which a growth rate and a deathrate are equal. The culture may contain aquatic plants that areconnected to each other (mother-daughter pairs) at different maturationstages, and healthy aquatic plants that are found as individuals, allwith healthy green pigmentation. In addition, a high number ofunhealthy/dead aquatic plants may be detected via their bright yellowpigmentation and a relatively high transparency level. The number of newaquatic plants created during stationary phase is limited by growthfactors, such as the depletion of an essential nutrient and/or thesecretion of a contact inhibitory factor. As a result, the rate ofaquatic plants growth may match the rate of aquatic plants death.

The death phase is the period when the aquatic plants are under lethalstress (e.g., run out of nutrients). Most of the aquatic plants in thedeath phase are found as individuals with bright yellow pigmentation anda relatively high transparency level. At the death phase, thedistribution of the colors of the aquatic plants' pigments may be moreyellow than green because of a drastic reduction in the content ofactive pigment molecules (e.g. chlorophylls).

Different growth phases may be classified by different shapes, colors,and the like. In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to storefor future use in database 382, for example, at least one image of theculture, the determined characteristics, the growth phase of theculture, and other related data, along with a time stamp of when thatdata was received.

While FIG. 4 shows a network for collecting, storing, and analyzing datafrom sensors 372 and 374, control unit 370 may include all the necessarycomponents, such as a processor and memory, to perform the collecting,storing, and analyzing absent a network. In such an embodiment,bioreactor 310 may comprise a stand-alone unit adapted to operate in theabsent of a network. In some embodiments, a stand-alone bioreactor mayfunction as the “server” for any number of other bioreactors. In otherwords, a stand-alone bioreactor may be a supervisory bioreactor thatreceives data collected by sensors 372/374 of other bioreactors, as wellas data collected by its sensors 372/374.

FIG. 5 shows an imaging system 390 for collecting multi-perspective andmulti-wavelength images of an aquatic plant culture 392 withinbioreactor 310 according to an embodiment. Imaging system 390 mayinclude at least one image sensor 374, such as, but not limited to, acamera that collects light reflected by and/or transmitted throughculture 392. Various light sources may be positioned around culture 392for illuminating culture 392 with various forms of light with differentwavelengths and different illumination intensities. For example,bright-field light sources 394 and dark-field light sources 396 mayproduce light that is reflected off of culture 392 and collected byimage sensor 374. Also, transmitted light source 398 may produce lightthat is collected by image sensor 374 after it has passed throughculture 392. Each image collected can be taken by applying one or morelight source, each set to illuminate at a desired intensity, as definedby control unit 370.

FIG. 6A is an exemplary and non-limiting schematic diagram of a system600 according to an embodiment. System 600 includes a bioreactor havingfour operation units: one or more input units (IU) 320, one or moregrowing units (GU) 330, one or more harvesting units (HU) 340, and oneor more output units 360. Output unit(s) 360 may deliver a harvestedportion of an aquatic organism, or a culture conditioned medium, to beused as, for example, foodstuff or a cosmetic substance. Output unit 360may include at least one nozzle for dispensing foodstuff or a cosmeticsubstance.

Units 320, 330, 340 and 360 may be subsystems, each comprised of one ormore compartments, and the operation of each of the units may becontrolled by control unit 370. In some embodiments, control unit 370may control a series of valves 622, 632 and 642 that allow for thedelivery of an aquatic organism from one operation unit to another. Insome embodiments, one or more of the valves are unidirectional and allowthe delivery of content from a first unit to a second unit, for example,from growing unit 330 to harvesting unit 340. In some embodiments, oneor more of the valves are bidirectional and allow the delivery ofcontent from a first unit to a second unit and from the second unit tothe first unit (e.g., allowing delivery of content from growing unit 330to harvesting unit 340 as well as from harvesting unit 340 to unitgrowing unit 330). The direction of flow through the valves may becontrolled by control unit 370.

In operation, an aquatic organism used as a starter material (e.g., anaquatic plant culture in a predetermined life stage) may be insertedinto input unit 320. In input unit 320, the starter material enters viaa contamination free procedure and may then be fertilized and exposed tolight in a controlled and monitored way to stimulate maturation to acultivation state. The monitoring and control of the process may bemonitored and/or controlled by control unit 370.

Control unit 370 may perform a plurality of physiological, chemical andphysical measurements that relate to ensuring a contamination freestate, organism viability, growth rate, growth cycle and culture healthconditions, as well as environmental growth conditions, such astemperature, ion concentration, O₂ and CO₂ concentration, lightintensity, and more. In some embodiments, the image may be an image ofan aquatic plant culture present in incubation-growing chamber 321. Insome embodiments, the image may be an image of an aquatic plant culturepresent in a cartridge received by input unit 320 (e.g., an aquaticplant culture contained within a capsule 2702 in cartridge 2700). Insuch embodiments, the viability of an aquatic plant culture (e.g., acontamination state of the aquatic plant culture) may be determinedbefore the culture is introduced into incubation-growing chamber 321,thereby reducing the possibility of contaminating incubation-growingchamber 321.

Once the aquatic plant culture has matured in incubation-growing chamber321 and control unit 370 confirms that no contamination is present, thematured and contamination free aquatic plant culture may be transferredto growing unit 330, for example, via valve 622. Growing unit 330 mayfacilitate the growth of the aquatic plant culture by providing andpreserving (bio-mimicking) the aquatic plant culture' optimal nativeenvironmental conditions, including continued monitoring and adjustmentsof growth conditions to meet safety, quantity, and qualityspecifications. The optimal native environmental conditions may bedefined and provided as physical conditions (such as light andtemperature level and timing, water flow rate, air flow and pressure,and organism dynamic concentrations), chemical conditions of the growthsubstrate (such as potential hydrogen, Ion concentration, fertilizercompounds, dissolved CO₂ and air composition), and physiologicalconditions (such as organism morphology, size, and color patterns).Control unit 370 may monitor these environmental conditions bycollecting data from sensors 372 and image sensors 374. Additionally,control unit 370 may continuously monitor, adjust and optimize theseenvironmental conditions in real-time.

When a harvesting operation is required the aquatic plant culture may betransferred to harvesting unit 340, for example via valve 632.Harvesting unit 340 may harvest of at least a portion of the aquaticplant culture. The harvested culture may be cleaned to meet outputcriteria, such as food grade criteria, and may then be transferred toone or more output units 360, for example, via valve 642, and may besupplied as foodstuff or a cosmetic substance to the user through theone or more output units 360. The monitoring and control of the wholeharvest process, from valve 632 to output unit 360, may be controlled bycontrol unit 370. In some embodiments, the harvest process may includethe collection of conditioned growth media or substrate from growingunit 330, which may include components secreted from the culture, incombination or without the aquatic plant culture itself.

FIG. 6B is an exemplary and non-limiting schematic diagram of a system650 including a bioreactor according to another embodiment showing thedetails of processing unit 350. In this embodiment the harvested cultureis transferred from harvesting unit 340 through valve 642 to amodification unit (MU) 652, to a customization unit (CU) 654, or both inparallel or a bidirectional sequential order. The culture may betransferred from customization unit 654 to modification unit 652 througha valve 656 or from modification unit 652 to customization unit 654through a valve 658. In some embodiments, the transfer of the harvestedculture to modification unit 652 and/or customization unit 654 inparallel or a bidirectional sequential order may be performed under thecontrol of control unit 370. In some embodiments, the transfer may beperformed manually.

Control unit 370 may control the operations of modification unit 652 andcustomization unit 654. Modification unit 652 may include one or morecompartments. Modification unit 652 may be configured to alter of theoutputted foodstuff or cosmetic substance in terms of ingredientscontent. This may be accomplished by changing selected growth conditionfactors, or a combination of changes in different factors that may causeor induce a modification. These factors may include light intensitylevel and/or spectrum, substrate or air temperature, air gas mix,fertilizer mix changes, or any combination of these or other factors atdifferent time intervals and lengths. In some embodiments, themodification may include purification and concentration of bioactivecomponents from the organism and/or the conditioned media or substrate.The harvested culture may then be transferred through a valve 662 andsupplied as foodstuff or a cosmetic substance to the user through theone or more output units 360.

Customization unit 654 may include one unit, separate subsystems or anycombination thereof and may include one or more compartments. Incustomization unit 654, the harvested culture of the aquatic organismmay be treated as a fresh output following a cleaning step with noadditional processing or may go through one or more physical changesaccording to a user's preferences, such as but not limited to, groundingand/or squeezing fresh foodstuff into a liquid product, drying it to apre-defined level ranging from 95%-5% water, turning it into a paste atdesired viscosity level, or grinding it to a powder. These changes mayinclude various flavoring procedures or ingredient add-ons to reach arequired outcome for further use or consumption. The harvested cultureof the aquatic organism may then be transferred through valve 662 andsupplied as foodstuff or a cosmetic substance to the user through theone or more output units 360. In some embodiments, the harvested cultureof the aquatic organism can be transferred through both modificationunit 652 and customization unit 654 through valve 662 and then suppliedas foodstuff or a cosmetic substance to the user through the one or moreoutput units 360.

The use of a plurality of parallel units in each of the stages of thesystems 300, 600, or 650 facilitates the creation of multiple and/ordifferent foodstuffs or cosmetic products and may facilitate mixing ofdifferent productions of foodstuffs and/or cosmetic substances. Forexample, if there are two compartments in input unit 320, it is possibleto provide starter materials of two different organisms that may begrown separately in two separate compartments in growing unit 330 andthen mixed into a single foodstuff in harvesting unit 340.Alternatively, if harvesting unit 340 includes of a plurality ofcompartments, control unit 370 may control the production so that thecontent of the compartments in growing unit 330 are transferred intoseparate compartments of harvesting unit 340.

In some embodiments, bioreactor 310 may include a display 376 fordisplaying information to a user (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)or a light emitting diode (LED) display). Bioreactor 310 may alsoinclude a user interface 377 (e.g., a keyboard, buttons, or a touchscreen (which may or may not be integrated into display 376)) forreceiving commands from a user. Control unit 370 may be configured tocontrol display 376 and receive commands from user interface 377.Display 376 and user interface 377 may allow a user to control variousaspects of bioreactor 310. For example, display 376 and user interface377 may allow a user to order new cartridges (e.g., cartridges 2700),contact customer service, review messages from a server (e.g., server384 or 2606). As a non-limiting example, display 376 and user interface377 may allow a user to review order confirmations for sending newstarter material to bioreactor 310 (e.g., a new cartridge 2700) and/orsignal bioreactor 310 to dispense an aquatic plant culture from outputunit 360. Display 376 may also display one or more operating statuses ofbioreactor 310, for example, but not limited to, the temperature withinbioreactor 310, the volume of aquatic plants within bioreactor 310, thenetwork connection status of bioreactor 310 (i.e., whether or notbioreactor 310 is currently in communication with a server), and anerror status for bioreactor 310.

Operation of monitoring at least one characteristic related to a cultureof aquatic plants according to one embodiment will now be described inreference to FIG. 7, which shows an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart 700. According to one embodiment, the operation includesmonitoring at least one of a shape, color, texture, transparency, orsize of aquatic plants within the aquatic plant culture. In 710, themethod starts when server 384 receives a request to determine at leastone characteristic related the aquatic plant culture. In 715, server 384may adjust the imaging equipment, for example, image sensors 374, andprepare for acquiring an image. In 720, server 384 may receive at leastone image of the culture, for example, from at least one image sensor374. In 725, server 384 may identify at least one parameter of aplurality of parameters related to the aquatic plants by employing atleast one image processing technique on the at least one image. In 730,server 384 may store the identified parameter(s) along with the resultsof the image processing technique within database 382 together with atime stamp.

In 735, server 384 may analyze the results related to the identifiedparameters to determine at least one characteristic related to theaquatic plant culture. Then, in 740, server 384 may store thecharacteristic(s) in database 382. Server 384 may then determine ifthere are additional requests in 745. If there is an additional request,server 384 may begin the process over again at 710. If there is not anadditional request, server 384 may check if there are any additionalimages that need to be processed in 750. If there are additional imagesthat need to be processed, server 384 may return to 720. If there are noadditional images to be processed, server 384 may proceed to 755. In755, server 384 may determine changes that have occurred in theparameter(s) over time. Finally, in 760, server 384 may preformintegrated data analysis per image, per sample, and per requestedcharacteristic to determine a state of the aquatic plant culture.

The integrated data analysis may be, but is not limited to, an imageprocessing technique that compares a received image with reference datarelated to parameters and characteristics from stored images, includingbut not limited to, baseline images, reference images previouslycollected from the same culture, and/or reference images previouslycollected from a different culture stored in a database to determine acharacteristic of the aquatic plants. The integrated data analysis mayalso include scoring the requested characteristic(s) (as described belowwith reference to FIGS. 24-25B, for example) and comparing the scoresfor each characteristic with previous scores, reference scores, and/orbaseline scores.

Operation of monitoring one or more selective nutrient levels found in aculture of aquatic plants according to one embodiment will now bedescribed in reference to FIG. 8, which shows an exemplary andnon-limiting flowchart 800. According to one embodiment, the operationincludes monitoring the levels or concentrations of, for example,antioxidants, proteins, dietary chemical elements, etc. that may befound in the culture aquatic plants. In some embodiments, a selectivenutrient concentration may be determined based on, for example,chlorophyll levels or carotenoid levels. In 810, the method starts whenserver 384 receives a request to determine at least one characteristicrelated to one or more selective nutrients levels in the culture. Insome embodiments, server 384 may receive a request to monitor a specificcharacteristic related to one or more selective nutrients in the cultureof aquatic plants. In 815, server 384 may adjust the imaging equipment,for example, image sensors 374, and prepare for acquiring an image. In820, server 384 may receive at least one image of the culture, forexample, from at least one image sensor 374. In 825, server 384 mayidentify at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters related tothe aquatic plants and related to one or more selective nutrients byemploying at least one image processing technique on the at least oneimage. Specifically, parameters related to pigment molecules (e.g.chlorophylls), which are found in the aquatic plants, may be identified.In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to determine a lightabsorption of pigment molecules by projecting light on the culture, forexample, in an approximate wavelength of about 520-570 nm in the visiblespectrum in case of chlorophylls detection. Chlorophyll causes theaquatic plants to be seen in green color, and thus, a chlorophylldeficiency will cause the aquatic plant to appear less green and moreyellow. In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to use atleast one mathematical model to determine the concentration of pigmentmolecules (e.g., chlorophylls in the culture).

In 830, server 384 may store the identified parameter(s) along with theresults of the image processing technique within database 382 togetherwith a time stamp. In 835, server 384 may analyze the at least oneparameter to determine the requested characteristic related to one ormore selective nutrients of the aquatic plant culture. Then, in 840,server 384 may store the characteristic(s) in database 382. Server 384may then determine if there are additional requests in 845. If there isan additional request, server 384 may begin the process over again at810. If there is not an additional request, server 384 may check ifthere are any additional images that need to be processed in 850. Ifthere are additional images that need to be processed, server 384 mayreturn to 820. If there are no additional images to be processed server384 may proceed to 855. In 855, server 384 may determine changes thathave occurred in the parameter(s) over time. Finally, in 860, server 384may preform integrated data analysis per image, per sample, and perrequested characteristic to determine at least a selective nutrientsprofile of the aquatic plant culture.

The integrated data analysis may be, but is not limited to, an imageprocessing technique that compares a received image with reference datarelated to parameters and characteristics from stored images, includingbut not limited to, baseline images, reference images previouslycollected from the same culture, and/or reference images previouslycollected from a different culture stored in a database to determine oneor more selective nutrient levels found in a culture of aquatic plants.The integrated data analysis may also include scoring the requestedcharacteristic(s) (as described below with reference to FIGS. 24-25B,for example) and comparing the scores for each characteristic withprevious scores, reference scores, and/or baseline scores.

In some embodiments, server 384, in 855, may be configured to retrieveinformation stored in database 382 to evaluate changes that occurred inpigment molecule levels. This may be used to determine a stress rate inthe culture. In such an embodiment, a decrease in pigments moleculelevels (e.g., chlorophyll level) over time may imply an increase in aculture's stress level. In other words, an increase in the level ofstress in the culture may be reflected in a reduction of the greenpigmentation intensity in the culture and in an appearance of a lightyellow tone respective thereto. In some embodiments, server 384 may beconfigured to generate a profile of selective nutrients found in theculture, for example, by determining the concentration of magnesium thatis found in the chlorophylls.

Operation of determining a growth phase or a growth rate of a culture ofaquatic plants according to one embodiment will now be described withreference to FIG. 9, which shows an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart900. In 910, the method starts when server 384 receives a request todetermine at least one characteristic related to the growth phase or agrowth rate of the culture of aquatic plants, for example, Wolffiagrowth. In 915, server 384 may adjust the imaging equipment, forexample, image sensors 374, and prepare for acquiring an image. In 920,server 384 may receive at least one image of the culture, for example,from at least one image sensor 374.

In 925, server 384 may identify at least one parameter related to theaquatic plants and related to the culture's growth phase or growth rateby employing at least one image processing technique on the at least oneimage. In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to identifyparameters related to, for example, at least one of the shape, the size,the texture, the transparency level, the pigments (color), etc. of theaquatic plants. Moreover, server 384 may be configured to identify anumber of aquatic plants found with the same shape, size, color, etc. Insome embodiments, the analyses are performed at equal intervals forconsistency purposes, however, in other embodiments, differentstrategies may be employed. In 930, server 384 may store the identifiedparameter(s) along with the results of the image processing techniquewithin database 382 together with a time stamp. In step 935, server 384may analyze the at least one parameter to determine the requestedcharacteristic related to the growth phase or growth rate of aquaticplant culture. Then, in 940, server 384 may store the characteristic(s)in database 382. In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured tostore a determined characteristic, such as a determined growth rate, indatabase 382 along with a time stamp. In some embodiments, database 382may serve as a log containing some or all of the information, includingthe image, identified parameters, and determined characteristics, alongwith time stamps for monitoring an aquatic plant culture over time.

Server 384 may then determine if there are additional requests in 945.If there is an additional request, server 384 may begin the process overagain at 910. If there is not an additional request, server 384 maycheck if there are any additional images that need to be processed in950. If there are additional images that need to be processed, server384 may return to 920. If there are no additional images to be processedserver 384 may proceed to 955. In 955, server 384 may evaluate changesthat occurred in the identified parameters over time to determine thegrowth rate and/or growth phase. Finally, in 960, server 384 may preformintegrated data analysis per image, per sample, and per requestedcharacteristic to determine at least one of a growth phase or growthrate of the aquatic plant culture.

The integrated data analysis may be, but is not limited to, an imageprocessing technique that compares a received image with reference datarelated to parameters and characteristics from stored images, includingbut not limited to, baseline images, reference images previouslycollected from the same culture, and/or reference images previouslycollected from a different culture stored in a database to determine thegrowth phase and/or growth rate of a culture of aquatic plants. Theintegrated data analysis may also include scoring the requestedcharacteristic(s) (as described below with reference to FIGS. 24-25B,for example) and comparing the scores for each characteristic withprevious scores, reference scores, and/or baseline scores.

As a non-limiting example, server 384 may be configured to estimate thechanges that occurred over time in the number of aquatic plants found indifferent vegetative reproduction stages respective of their shape asdescribed below with respect to FIG. 12A. Moreover, server 384 may be,alternatively or further, configured to estimate the changes thatoccurred over time for a particular parameter (e.g., the density ofchlorophyll, which is related to the intensity of a green pigment).Intense green pigment may indicate healthy aquatic plants; so when thelevel of the green pigment decreases, it may indicate that the cultureis found in a stress state, which may indicate a growth slowdown. Server384 may be configured to use, for example, at least one mathematicalmodel to determine the growth rate related to a number of vegetativereproduction events that occur per a culture portion and per a timeunit. When the number of vegetative reproduction events per a cultureportion and per a time unit increases, it is likely an indication thatthere is an increase in the growth rate of the culture.

When most of the aquatic plants are connected to one or more aquaticplants (mother-daughter pairs or mother-daughter colonies of 3-5 plants)and their respective pigment is intense green, this may imply that theculture is found in an exponential growth phase. In a case where thedaughter aquatic plants have less chlorophyll than their mothers, thismay indicate a stress condition. The pigment of the daughter aquaticplants in such a case will have a brighter green tone. When most of theaquatic plants are found as individual aquatic plants, their pigment ismore yellow then green, and their transparency level is high, this mayimply that the culture is found in an unhealthy state or even found in adeath phase. In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured todetermine the existence of contaminants by identifying, for example, anabnormal shape of aquatic plants together with existence of an abnormalpigment (e.g., a pigment that is not found in a hue of green to yellow),a non-typical texture of the aquatic plants, etc.

In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to retrieve theparameters that are identified at several points in time respective of aplurality of images. Server 384 may further be configured to use suchparameters to generate a histogram describing the growth phases of theculture. For example, as shown in FIG. 12B, the growth phases of theculture may include a lag phase 1260, an exponential phase 1265, astationary phase 1270, and death phase 1275.

In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to determine a stressstate, and/or whether stress exists, by evaluating changes that occurredin the identified parameters related to the characteristic(s) over time,for example, changes in the shape, the size, the pigment (color), thetexture, the transparency level, etc. of an aquatic plant. An increasednumber of aquatic plants with different abnormalities, such as aquaticplants with unhealthy pigment (e.g., a pigment that is not found in ahue of the intense green pigmentation), aquatic plants with a reducedsize, aquatic plants with an increased transparency, aquatic plants withdistorted texture or shape, etc. may imply an increased stress level. Insome embodiments, server 384 may be configured to use at least onemathematical model to determine a number of abnormal aquatic plants thatoccur per a time unit.

Operation of detecting contamination events in a culture of aquaticplants according to one embodiment will now be described with referenceto FIG. 10, which shows an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart 1000. In1010, the method starts when server 384 receives a request to determineat least one characteristic related to a contamination event in theculture of aquatic plants. Contamination may occur because of, forexample, invasion of bacteria, algae, fungi, and the like. In 1015,server 384 may adjust the imaging equipment, for example, image sensors374, and prepare for acquiring an image. In 1020, server 384 may receiveat least one image of the culture, for example, from at least one imagesensor 374. In 1025, server 384 may identify at least one parameterrelated to the aquatic plants and related to a contamination event inthe culture by employing at least one image processing technique on theat least one image. In 1030, server 384 may store the identifiedparameter(s) along with the results of the image processing techniquewithin database 382 together with a time stamp.

In 1035, server 384 may analyze the parameter(s) to determine therequested characteristic related to a contamination state in the aquaticplant. For example, server 384 may be configured to identify thedistribution of the colors in the aquatic plants' pigments by projectinga combination of basic colors on the culture with specific wavelengths.In response, the culture will reflect light at different wavelengths,depending on one or more elements that are found in each aquatic plant.The reflected light wavelengths may be analyzed to determinecharacteristics, i.e. color, associated with each element in an aquaticplant. For example, the reflected light of chlorophyll is green with anapproximate wavelength of about 520-570 nm, which is in the visiblespectrum.

In addition, server 384 may be configured to analyze the light rays thatpass through a surface of the aquatic plants. This may be used toidentify the shape and/or the size of the aquatic plants. Reflectedlight rays would imply the existence of an aquatic plant at a certainlocation, however passing of light would imply that there is no aquaticplant at that location. Furthermore, server 384 may be configured toidentify aquatic plants with abnormal texture by, for example, comparingan image received from the image sensor 374 to at least one image ofaquatic plants with normal texture found in database 382.

In 1040, server 384 may store the characteristic(s) in database 382.Server 384 may then determine if there are additional requests in 1045.If there is an additional request, server 384 may begin the process overagain at 1010. If there is not an additional request, server 384 maycheck if there are any additional images that need to be processed in1050. If there are additional images that need to be processed, server384 may return to 1020. If there are no additional images to beprocessed server 384 may proceed to 1055. In 1055, server 384 maydetermine changes that occurred in the parameter(s) over time.

Typically, in a case of contamination, the pigment of the aquatic plantschanges, for example, from a hue of yellow and green to a hue of red andbrown. In addition the morphological appearance of the aquatic plantsmay change as a result of, for example, bacteria, algae, fungi, and thelike that may be found in the culture or as a result of a chemicalcontamination. The morphological change may be expressed, for example,in an unsmooth texture and/or a distorted surface of one or more aquaticplants. In some embodiments, server 384 may be configured to identifythe distorted surface by identifying changes in the light rays passingthrough the aquatic plants. In some embodiments, server 384 may store indatabase 382 a time stamp of when the image is received together withthe identified parameters. In some embodiments, server 384 may beconfigured to store a determined characteristic, such as a contaminationevent characteristic, in database 382 along with a time stamp. In someembodiments, database 382 may serve as a log containing some or all ofthe information including, the image, identified parameters, anddetermined characteristics, along with time stamps for monitoring anaquatic plant culture over time.

Finally, in 1060, server 384 may preform integrated data analysis perimage, per sample, and per requested characteristic to determine if theaquatic plant culture is contaminated. The integrated data analysis maybe, but is not limited to, an image processing technique that compares areceived image with reference data related to parameters andcharacteristics from stored images, including but not limited to,baseline images, reference images previously collected from the sameculture, and/or reference images previously collected from a differentculture stored in a database to determine if the aquatic plant cultureis contaminated. The integrated data analysis may also include scoringthe requested characteristic(s) (as described below with reference toFIGS. 24-25B, for example) and comparing the scores for eachcharacteristic with previous scores, reference scores, and/or baselinescores.

If server 384 determines that the culture is contaminated, server 384may first determine the level of contamination. If server 384 determinesthat the contamination is “low level” contamination, server 384 mayperform anti-contamination measures. Anti-contamination measuresinclude, but are not limited to, UV cycles, wash cycles, increasing thepH of the culture, altering the growth medium of the culture, andaltering the light or temperature conditions. Following the performanceof anti-contamination measures, server 384 may monitor the culture'sresponse and the contamination status in real-time, for example, byemploying the method described in FIG. 10. If server 384 determines thatthe contamination has been eliminated, server 384 may revert to standardoperating conditions and continue growing the culture. If server 384determines that the contamination cannot be eliminated, server 384 maylock output unit 360 and may send an alter report to a user and/or to acontrol center.

Operation of determining a viability or health status of a culture ofaquatic plants' growth according to one embodiment will now be describedin reference to FIG. 11, which shows an exemplary and non-limitingflowchart 1100. In 1110, the method starts when server 384 receives arequest to determine at least one characteristic related to theviability or health status of a culture of aquatic plants, for example,Wolffia growth. In 1115, server 384 may adjust the imaging equipment,for example, image sensors 374, and prepare for acquiring an image. In1120, server 384 may receive at least one image of the culture, forexample, from at least one image sensor 374. In 1125, server 384 mayidentify at least one parameter related to the aquatic plants andrelated to the plants' viability or culture health status by employingat least one image processing technique on the at least one image. In1130, server 384 may store the identified parameter(s) along with theresults of the image processing technique within database 382 togetherwith a time stamp. In 1135, server 384 may analyze the parameter(s) todetermine the requested characteristic related to the viability orhealth of the aquatic plant.

For example, server 384 may instruct imaging system 390 to project lightat different wavelengths and/or illumination levels on the culture. Inturn, imaging system 390 captures the reflected light in an image. Thenserver 384 may analyze the image in terms of different wavelength andillumination conditions. In some embodiments, server 384 may beconfigured to identify the distribution of the pigmentation in theaquatic plants' image. For example, but without limitation, server 384may be configured to identify light rays passing through a surface of anaquatic plant, which will change according to changes in the surface ofthe aquatic plant. Moreover, server 384 may be configured to identifyone or more morphological features, for example, the shape and/or thesize of the aquatic plants. In some embodiments, server 384 may beconfigured to identify, for example a shape of a single circle, whichrepresents an individual aquatic plant, two or more circles of aquaticplants connected to each other, which represents a mother-daughter pairfound in vegetative reproduction, etc. Furthermore, the size of theaquatic plants may be measured by server 384 in accordance with theirsurface area.

Additionally, server 384 may be configured to identify the textureand/or the transparency levels of the aquatic plants. In general, thetransparency level of a material describes the relative ability of thematerial to allow the passage of light rays through the material, orreflect rays of light off the material. In order to determine the levelof transparency of an aquatic plant, server 384 may be configured tomeasure, for example, the light rays passing through the aquatic plant.Moreover, in order to identify the texture of an aquatic plant, server384 may be configured to analyze the received image by comparing it toimages that are stored in database 382. Aquatic plants generally haveareas with a smooth or a dotted texture at a defined distribution.Therefore, in some embodiments, when server 384 identifies aquaticplants containing different textures distributions, other texture types,and/or high a level of transparency server 384 may be configured toconsider them as unhealthy aquatic plants. Moreover, in someembodiments, server 384 may be configured to identify the number of theaquatic plants found with the same pigments, shape, texture, etc.

Server 384 may be configured to determine the density of the culture ofaquatic plants, for example, by evaluating a change in the intensity oflight passing through the aquatic plants. Alternatively, server 384 maybe configured to use at least one mathematical model to measure the massof aquatic plants found in a given volume.

In 1140, server 384 may store the characteristic(s) in database 382. Atime stamp may be stored along with the characteristic(s) in 1140.Server 384 may then determine if there are additional requests in 1145.If there is an additional request, server 384 may begin the process overagain at 1110. If there is not an additional request, server 384 maycheck if there are any additional images that need to be processed in1150. If there are additional images that need to be processed, server384 may return to 1120. If there are no additional images to beprocessed, server 384 may proceed to 1155. In 1155, server 384 maydetermine changes that occurred in the parameter(s) over time.

Finally, in 1160 server 384 may perform integrated data analysis perimage, per sample, and per requested characteristic to determine theviability or health of the culture based on the parameters identified in1125 and one or more characteristics related to the aquatic plant growthcycle. For example, in some embodiments, a vegetative reproduction ischaracterized by aquatic plants which are connected to each other.Moreover, a death phase may be characterized by aquatic plants with alack of a green pigment and high transparency level. Furthermore,healthy aquatic plants may be characterized by, for example, a stronggreen pigment. The existence of pigment that is not green or yellow mayindicate the existence of contamination. And a connection between atleast two aquatic plants may imply a mother-daughter relationship.

The integrated data analysis performed in 1160 may be, but is notlimited to, an image processing technique that compares a received imagewith reference data related to parameters and characteristics fromstored images, including but not limited to, baseline images, referenceimages previously collected from the same culture, and/or referenceimages previously collected from a different culture stored in adatabase to determine the viability or health status of a culture ofaquatic plants. The integrated data analysis may also include scoringthe requested characteristic(s) (as described below with reference toFIGS. 24-25B, for example) and comparing the scores for eachcharacteristic with previous scores, reference scores, and/or baselinescores.

The operations described in FIGS. 7-11 may be integrated in whole or inpart. Moreover, while the operations in FIGS. 7-11 have been describedwith respect to a network having a server and a database it will beappreciated that control unit 370 could contain all the necessarycomponents to perform the operations in FIGS. 7-11 in the absence of anetwork. In such an embodiment, bioreactor 310 may comprise astand-alone unit adapted to operate in the absent of a network. Inaddition, in some embodiments, control unit 370 may be understood toinclude server 384 and database 382. Additionally, it will beappreciated that any operation discussed herein as being performed bycontrol unit 370 could, in whole or in part, be performed by server 384.

Operation of monitoring the growth of a culture overtime will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 12A, which is a histogram 1200generated for a culture of aquatic plants according to one embodiment. Aplurality of parameters that are identified at several points in timerelated to a plurality of images may be retrieved from database 382. Insome embodiments, server 384 may evaluate the changes that occurred inthe shape of the aquatic plants over time. Server 384 may also beconfigured to count the number of aquatic plants found having a certainshape at each point in time. The aquatic plants may be found, forexample, as an individual aquatic plant 1210, a mother aquatic plantconnected to a small circular shape of a baby daughter aquatic plant1220, a mother aquatic plant connected to a more developed circularshape of a young daughter aquatic plant 1230, a mother aquatic plantconnected to an almost fully developed circular shape of a growndaughter aquatic plant 1240, and two aquatic plants (a mother aquaticplant with a mature daughter with similar size connected to each other)1250.

By identifying the aquatic plants' shape and quantifying the number ofaquatic plants having the same shape per each shape, server 384 iscapable of determining the growth phase of the culture. For example,when most of the aquatic plants are found as individual aquatic plants1210 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 14), server 384 may determine thatthe culture is found in lag phase 1260. When server 384 identifiesaquatic plants with a variety of shapes 1210 through 1250, at a typicalratio as demonstrated in FIG. 17C, server 384 may determine that theculture is found in exponential phase 1265. By way of a non-limitingexample, server 384 may be configured to identify a majority of aquaticplants as individual aquatic plants 1210 having a high level oftransparency and having more yellow pigment then green pigment. In thisexample, the culture may be identified as a culture that is in deathphase, e.g. stage 1275 in FIG. 12B.

Server 384 may be configured to generate histogram 1200 of aquatic plantbiomass accumulation over time respective of their shape. In FIG. 12A,the X axis 1280 represents a time line and the Y axis 1290 representsthe natural logarithm (ln) function of the aquatic plants biomassaccumulation. In some embodiments, server 384 may also evaluate thechanges that occur in the pigment of the aquatic plants and theirtransparency level to determine the growth phases of the culture.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary image 1300 collected by imaging system 390.Image 1300 contains aquatic plants at various stages of developmentincluding an individual aquatic plant 1210, a mother aquatic plantconnected to a small circular shape of a baby daughter aquatic plant1220, a mother aquatic plant connected to a more developed circularshape of a young daughter aquatic plant 1230, a mother aquatic plantconnected to an almost fully developed circular shape of a growndaughter aquatic plant 1240, and two aquatic plants (a mother aquaticplant with a mature daughter with similar size) connected to each other1250. FIG. 13 also shows dense chlorophyll with dotted texture areas,like area 1212, which may be used by control unit 370 to classify ahealthy culture of aquatic plants. Outer regions with smooth texture andbright color 1214 of the aquatic plants may be used by control unit 370to classify the color and texture of the aquatic plants. Furthermore,connection areas 1245 between mother and daughter plants can beidentified by control unit 370. Connection areas 1245 are typically thedarkest green areas and can be used by control unit 370 to determine thegrowth phase the aquatic plant culture. For example, a high number ofconnection areas 1245 would indicate that the culture is currently inexponential phase 1265.

FIG. 14 shows another exemplary image 1400 collected by imaging system390 showing a healthy culture of aquatic plants found in lag phase 1260.During operation, image 1400 of the culture may be received by server384 from an image sensor 374. Image 1400 may be analyzed by at least oneimage processing technique to identify characteristics related to theaquatic plants. For example, by projecting light on the culture in anapproximate wavelength of about 520-570 nm in the visible spectrum, andcapturing an image using an image sensor 374, the culture is found tohave significant green pigment, which stands for healthy aquatic plants.Moreover, most of the aquatic plants are found as individuals 1210 witha low level of transparency. In this case, server 384 may determine thatthe culture found is in lag phase 1260 based upon identification ofthese characteristics.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary image 1500 collected by imaging system 390showing a healthy culture of aquatic plants found in exponential phase1265. During operation, image 1500 of the culture may be received by theserver 384 from an image sensor 374. The image may be analyzed by atleast one image processing technique to identify characteristics relatedto the aquatic plants. For example, by projecting light on the culturein an approximate wavelength of about 520-570 nm in the visiblespectrum, and capturing an image by an image sensor 374, the culture isfound to have a significant green pigment, which stands for healthyaquatic plants. Moreover, when analyzing the culture, server 384 may beconfigured to identify aquatic plants with different shapes with low alevel of transparency. According to image 1500, the culture contains aplurality of mother aquatic plants found as individual aquatic plants1210, a plurality of mother aquatic plants connected to a small circularshape of a baby daughter aquatic plant 1220, a plurality of motheraquatic plants connected to a more developed circular shape of a youngdaughter aquatic plant 1230, a plurality of mother aquatic plantsconnected to an almost fully developed circular shape of a growndaughter aquatic plant 1240, a plurality of mother aquatic plantsconnected to a mature daughter 1250. In this case, based uponidentification of these characteristics and their typical relativedistribution, server 384 may be determine that the culture found is inexponential phase 1265.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary image 1600 collected by imaging system 390showing a healthy culture of aquatic plants found in stationary phase1270. During operation, image 1600 of the culture may be received byserver 384 from an image sensor 374. The image may be analyzed by atleast one image processing technique to identify characteristics relatedto the aquatic plants. For example, by projecting light on the culture,and capturing an image using an image sensor 374, server 384 may beconfigured to identify the distribution of green and yellow colors ofthe aquatic plants' pigments. Moreover, server 384 may be configured todetermine that different aquatic plans have a different level oftransparency based upon analyzing the light rays passing through theaquatic plants.

According to image 1600, the culture contains healthy aquatic plants,for example, aquatic plant 1610, and unhealthy/dying aquatic plants, forexample, aquatic plant 1620. Healthy aquatic plant 1610 is identifieddue to the distribution and intensity of the green pigmentation. Thelight reflected off of healthy aquatic plant 1610 will be more greenthan yellow due to the presence of active pigments molecules (e.g.,chlorophylls). Unhealthy/dying aquatic plant colors are identified dueto light yellow pigmentation that is out of the healthy scheme. In thiscase, unhealthy/dying aquatic plant 1620 appears more yellow than green,indicating a lack of active pigment molecules (e.g., chlorophylls). Thepresence of inactive pigment molecules occurs when the aquatic plantdies. Moreover, server 384 may be configured to identify thetransparency level of the aquatic plants. The transparency level ofunhealthy/dying aquatic plant 1620 is high compared to the transparencylevel of healthy aquatic plant 1610. In this case, based uponidentification of these characteristics, server 384 may determine thatthe culture is found in the death phase. In contrast, the detection of arelatively small number of dying individual plants and/or relativelysmall number of mother-daughter pairs, in which the mother (the largerplant) is detected as a dying plant 1620, may indicate a healthy culturewith normal senescence rate of individual plants 1630. In this case,server 384 may determine that the culture is found in the stationaryphase.

FIGS. 17A-C illustrate the transition of a culture from lag phase 1260to exponential phase 1265 according to an exemplary embodiment of system300 in use. FIG. 17A shows the distribution of various aquatic plantcells according to their development at the beginning of lag phase 1260.At the beginning of lag phase 1260 there are a large number ofindividual plants 1210 and no mature mother/daughter plants 1250. As theculture begins to grow, as shown in FIG. 17B, the distribution changes.Finally, as shown in FIG. 17C, when the culture reaches a high growthphase (exponential phase 1265) the number of mature mother/daughterplants 1250 is highest. Control unit 370 may be configured to use thechange in distribution of aquatic plants in various stages ofdevelopment over time to monitor and control the growing conditions forthe aquatic plant culture.

For example, under continuous standard growth conditions, the cultureshould be in an exponential phase, generating biomass at high rate.Control unit 370 may continuously monitor the growth phase to assureexponential phase by adjusting growing conditions at real-time, e.g.light intensity, temperature, fertilizers elements in the growth medium,pH, and water cycle. In addition, a request to harvest a portion of theculture may be provided according to the culture's growth phase,preferably only in exponential phase. In addition, upon a request toslow the culture growth rate because of, for example, a decrease in anoutput demanded, the culture growth conditions may be altered, e.g. by areduction in light intensity, resulting in the transition fromexponential phase towards lag phase. Control unit 370 may monitor thistransition to assure the desired result by adjusting the conditions inreal-time until the desired results are reached. Similar control willoccur following a request to increase biomass generation rate.

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary image 1800 collected by imaging system 390showing an image 1800 of a contaminated culture of aquatic plants.During operation, image 1800 of the culture may be received by server384 from an image sensor 374. Image 1800 may be analyzed by at least oneimage processing technique to identify, for example, the pigmentation,the texture, and the morphological features of the aquatic plants. Insome embodiments, aquatic plants with unhealthy colors are identified inthe culture, for example, aquatic plant 1810. In general, the unhealthyaquatic plant's colors are defined as colors out of the healthy schemefor a particular culture. The healthy pigmentation scheme may include adistribution of tones in the green and yellow scales of colors. Incontrast, the distribution of colors for unhealthy aquatic plants may bein the red to brown scale. The culture in image 1800 contains normalaquatic plants, for example, aquatic plant 1820 having a normal shape ofa mother aquatic plant connected to a small circular shape of a babydaughter aquatic plant (as described above with respect of FIG. 12A) andaquatic plans with abnormal morphological appearance, for example,aquatic plant 1810. Server 384 may therefore determine that the culturein image 1800 is contaminated upon identification of thesecharacteristics.

Operation of growing aquatic organisms according to an embodiment willnow be described with reference to FIGS. 19A-B, which show an exemplaryand non-limiting flowchart 1900. In 1905 an aquatic organism startermaterial is inserted into the system through input unit 320, where it isprepared to enter the growing unit 330. At this stage the user may beable to select different materials (plant species) using the same systemor mixing species to meet different nutritional or functional needs. In1910, the aquatic organism matures through input unit 320. In 1915, itis checked whether the maturation of the starter culture of the aquaticorganism is satisfactory based on an array of standard physiological,chemical and physical measurements that can be digitally read by controlunit 370, and if so, execution continues with 1925; otherwise, executioncontinues with 1920. In 1920, the maturation process is modified andcontrolled by control unit 370 and execution continues with 1915. In1925 the culture grows and expands continuously under the supervision ofcontrol unit 370. In 1930 it is checked whether the growing culturemeets an array of defined physiological, chemical and physical criteriathat are measured by control unit 370, and if so, execution continueswith 1935. Otherwise execution continues with 1945. In 1935, it ischecked whether to continue growing the culture and if so, executioncontinues with 1930; otherwise execution terminates and the culture isharvested. In 1945 it is checked whether to continue growing the cultureand if so, execution continues with 1950; otherwise executionterminates. If an error occurs, control unit 370 may generate a statusalert report notifying a technical support team who may continue tooperate the growing operation manually. If the technical support team ora different user requests termination of the growing operation, controlunit 370 may discard the culture while continuing to output other,already completely matured cultures, via harvesting and outputprocesses. Alternatively, following a user request for termination, theuser can manually discard the culture via drainage valves.

In 1950 it is checked, based on defined criteria, if a new starter isneeded and if so, execution continues with 1905; otherwise, executioncontinues with 1955 in which the growth conditions are modified and thenexecution continues with 1930.

Operation of delivering an output of a consumable substance to a useraccording to an embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS.20A-B, which show an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart 2000. In 2010,an output is requested via control unit 370. In 2020, a portion of theculture is harvested. In 2030 it is checked whether a modification ofthe culture is required, and if so execution continues with 2040;otherwise, execution continues with 2050. In 2040 the culture ismodified (e.g., in modification unit 652) as a consumable substance suchas foodstuff or an efficient cosmetic substance to meet expected userpreferences. In 2050 it is checked whether a customization of theculture is required and if so execution continues with 2060; otherwise,execution continues with 2070. In 2060 the culture is customized (e.g.,in customization unit 654) according to user preferences that aretransmitted via control unit 370 (e.g., via display 376 and/or userinterface 377). In 2070 the consumable substance is delivered throughthe one or more output units (e.g., output units 360). In 2080 it ischecked whether there is an additional output request, and if soexecution continues with 2010; otherwise execution terminates.

The operation of growing the aquatic organism as described in FIGS.19A-B and the operation of delivering an output of a consumablesubstance as described in FIGS. 20A-B may be integrated in whole or inpart. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a self-contained productionapparatus may be provided that is capable of providing a plurality ofstages for automatically providing controlled growth of a startermaterial into product substances.

While the operations in FIGS. 19A-20B have been described with respectto a network having a server and a database it will be appreciated thatcontrol unit 370 could contain all the necessary components to performthe operations in FIGS. 19A-20B in the absence of a network. In such anembodiment, bioreactor 310 may comprise a stand-alone unit adapted tooperate in the absent of a network.

Operation of controlling bioreactor 310 based on at least one imageprocessing technique will now be described with reference to FIG. 21,which shows an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart 2100. In step 2110control unit 370 receives at least one image from at least one imagesensor 374. Control unit 370 then performs an image processing techniquebased on at least one parameter related to the aquatic plant todetermine at least one characteristic related to the aquatic plant in2120. The at least one parameter may be, but is not limed to, thesurface area of the aquatic plants, the density of the aquatic plants,the amount of light absorbed by the aquatic plants, the wavelength oflight reflected from the surface of the aquatic plants, the wavelengthof light which is transmitted through the aquatic plants, and thedistribution of the wavelengths in the reflected or transmitted light.And the at least one characteristic can include, but is not limited to,a shape of the aquatic plant, a size of the aquatic plant, a pigment(color) of the aquatic plant, a texture of the aquatic plant, or atransparency of the aquatic plant.

In step 2130, control unit 370 determines at least one state of theculture based on the determined characteristic(s). In 2130, thedetermined state may be, but is not limited to, a healthy culture, acontaminated culture, a dead culture, a dying culture, biomass density,mortality rate, growth phase of the culture, selective nutrientsprofile, growth rate of the culture, and viability of the culture. Instep 2140 control unit 370 controls the operation of the bioreactorbased on the at least one characteristic and/or state of the aquaticplant determined by the image processing technique.

In some embodiments, control unit 370 may be configured to adjust atleast one growing condition. The at least one growing condition caninclude, but is not limited to, a light level, a light spectrum, a lightinterval, temperature, a fertilizer element level, water level, vaporpressure, humidity, pH, ion concentration, oxygen concentration, CO₂level, culture density, air flow, growth solution flow, and cultureflow. In some embodiments, control unit 370 may be configured to controlat least one valve, 622, 632, 642, 656, 658, or 662 based on the atleast one characteristic and/or state. In some embodiments, control unit370 may be configured to control at least one request for a specificmodification or customization process based on the at least onecharacteristic and/or state. In some embodiments, control unit 370 maybe configured to control a request for at least one input based on theat least one characteristic and/or state. In some embodiments, controlunit 370 may be configured to control at least one system-error statebased on the at least one characteristic and/or state.

Operation of analyzing and modifying culture conditions withinbioreactor 310 based on data collected from sensors 372 and imagesensors 374 according to an embodiment will now be described withreference to FIG. 22, which illustrates an exemplary and non-limitingflowchart 2200. In step 2210 control unit 370 collects data from sensors372 and image sensors 374. Control unit 370 may adjust the settings andcollection criteria for sensors 372 and images sensors 374 based on theoperation state of bioreactor 310 determined in step 2240. Datacollected from sensors 372 may include, for example, a light level,temperature, fertilizer level, water level, vapor pressure, humidity,pH, ion concentration, oxygen concentration, CO₂ level, culture density,culture flow, and other suitable culture data. Images sensors 374, whichmay include, for example one or more cameras, may collect continuous andreal-time images of an aquatic plant culture. In step 2220 control unit370 performs an image processing technique to determine at least onecharacteristic of the aquatic plant culture. The at least onecharacteristic can include, for example, a shape of the aquatic plant, asize of the aquatic plant, a pigment (color) of the aquatic plant, atexture of the aquatic plant, or a transparency of the aquatic plant.For example, in some embodiments, in step 2220 control unit 370 maydetermine the viability of the aquatic plant culture as described abovewith reference to FIG. 11. Furthermore, as described above withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, control unit 370 may alsodetermine the growth rate of the aquatic plant culture and/or ifcontamination is present in the culture.

In step 2230 control unit receives the set operation state of bioreactorprovided in step 2240 and compares the set operation state to thecharacteristic(s) determined in step 2230. For example, control unit 370may be configured to determine which stage of growth a culture iscurrently in (ex. re-seeding, hibernation, harvesting) and compares thatto the characteristic(s) of the aquatic plant culture determined in step2230. In step 2250, based on the operation state and thecharacteristic(s) determined in step 2220, control unit 370 determinesif the growing conditions within bioreactor 310 need to be changed andoutputs a required action or protocol for adjusting growing conditionsin step 2260. For example, control unit 370 may be configured to adjustthe light level, temperature, fertilizer, water level, ventilation(humidity and CO₂ level), culture density and culture flow withinbioreactor 310. In some embodiments where they are present, control unit370 may be configured to operate valves 622, 632, 642, 656, 658, and 662based on the collected and analyzed data. For example, using the datafrom sensors 372 and 374, control unit 370 may be configured to move anaquatic plant culture to harvesting unit 340 after the culture hasreached a stationary phase 1270 in growing unit 330. Furthermore, usingthe data from sensors 372 and 374, control unit 370 may be configured tooptimize the growing conditions within bioreactor 310 thereby ensuring ahigh yield of aquatic plants while maintaining and guarding theirfood-grade quality. If control unit 370 determines that the growingconditions of a culture are already optimized control unit 370 may beconfigured to take no action. Additionally, based on the adjustmentsmade to the growth conditions made in step 2260, control unit 370 mayadjust the data collection settings (i.e. the image collection settingsfor imaging system 390) in step 2270.

The operation of an exemplary image processing technique used in steps2220 through 2260 to determine characteristic(s) of an aquatic plantculture and adjust the growing conditions within bioreactor 310according to one embodiment will now be described in reference to FIGS.23A, 23B, and 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, control unit 370 may be configured to analyzeone or more parameters related to a characteristic (e.g. shape, color,texture, transparency, size) of individual aquatic plants within anaquatic plant culture. Control unit 370 may be configured to instructimaging system 390 to take a plurality of images of the same aquaticculture and score each image (e.g. four images as discussed in FIGS.25A-B). Based the characteristics of the individual aquatic plantswithin the aquatic plant culture, each image of the aquatic plantculture is scored (i.e. score 1 through score n). As a non-limitingexample, an image showing a large number of individual healthy greenplants may be given a high score for color, while an image showing alarge number of unhealthy individual bright yellow plants may be given alow score for color. Control unit 370 may analyze any number ofindividual plants within each image taken of the culture to determinethe score for each characteristic. For example, control unit 370 maydetermine the shape score for an aquatic culture by averaging the shapescores for each image that was taken of the culture (e.g. 4 images) asdiscussed below in reference to FIGS. 25A-B. Based on the scores foreach image of the aquatic plant culture, control unit 370 integrates,e.g. via vector mathematics, the specific score for each characteristicand determines the state of the culture (e.g. healthy (in lag,exponential or stationary phase), unhealthy, stressed, dying, dead, orcontaminated).

The hexagon graph in FIG. 24 is an example of typical scores forcultures in different states. For example, a dead culture receives lowscores for each characteristic, and therefore is shown having pointslocated near the center of the hexagonal graph in FIG. 24. In contrast,a culture in exponential phase receives high scores and is shown havingpoints located near the exterior of the hexagon graph. In someembodiments, control unit 370 may compare the scores for each culture topreviously collected data and/or hexagon graphs to determine the stateof the different cultures.

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate how control unit 370 is capable of alteringthe growing conditions within bioreactor 310 after preforming an imageprocessing technique on a culture of aquatic plants within bioreactor310. The y-axis in both figures represents the relative healthiness ofan aquatic plant culture and the x-axis represents time (in days). Inboth FIGS. 23A and 23B, an aquatic plant culture was starved under 3different conditions (groups 1, 2, & 3) for 6 days. Images of twoculture samples for each group were taken every 24 hours, and analyzedusing an image processing technique (algorithm) described herein.Selective physical parameters of individual plants and/or the culture asa whole were measured and then mathematical and statistical methods wereapplied to provide classification scores for the shape and pigmentation(color) characteristics. As shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the scores forboth shape and pigmentation (color) characteristics reflected aprogressive transition from a healthy status to a severely unhealthystatus by day 6. After day 6, control unit 370 was allowed to reversethe starvation conditions by causing a physical change in the culturemedium (i.e. adjusting growing conditions) of groups 2 & 3, but not ofgroup 1, which was kept as a control under its starvation conditions.Images of two culture samples, of each group, were further taken every24 hours till day 10, and analyzed using an image-processing technique(algorithm) described herein.

The analyses results revealed that cultures of both groups 2 & 3responded positively to the changes in their growth conditionsdemonstrating a reverse pattern to a healthy status. In contrast, thehealth status of group 1 continued to decay. For comparison, images werealso taken from control groups and analyzed using an image-processingtechnique (algorithm) described herein. FIGS. 23A and 23B bothillustrate that control unit 370 is capable of detecting an unhealthyculture (e.g. a stressed or dying culture) and altering growingconditions within bioreactor 310 in order to produce healthy aquaticplants and optimize output. Furthermore, FIGS. 23A and 23B bothillustrate that control unit 370 is capable of optimizing the growingconditions for relatively healthy aquatic plants. For example, ifcontrol unit 370 detects that the color of an aquatic plant culture isshifting from mostly green to more yellow, control unit 370 may adjustthe growing conditions within bioreactor to ensure that the aquaticculture does not being to die.

The operation of an exemplary image processing technique used todetermine the shape score a culture of aquatic plants will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 25A and 25B. First, control unit 370instructs imaging system to take four images of three different cultures(cultures 1, 2, and 3). Control unit 370 may instruct imaging system 390to take a desired number of images for each culture. In someembodiments, imaging system 390 may take less than four images of anaquatic plant culture. In some embodiments, imaging system 390 may takemore than four images of an aquatic plant culture.

After collecting images, control unit 370 may identify at least oneparameter related to the shape of a number of individual aquatic plantswithin each image taken of each culture. In some embodiments, the numberof individual aquatic plants may be, but is not limited to, at least 500aquatic plants. Based on the at least one identified parameter relatedto the shape, control unit 370 may be configured to determine the numberof aquatic plants in each culture having the same shape (i.e. shapes1210 through 1250). FIG. 25B shows an exemplary bar graph showing therelative distribution of aquatic plants having the same shape incultures 1, 2, and 3. The exemplary graph in FIG. 25B includes theindividual aquatic plants from all four images taken of each aquaticplant culture.

Each bar (S1 through S5) represents the number of relative counts for aspecific shape. For example, bar S1 for culture 1 represents therelative number of individual aquatic plants having a shapecorresponding to an individual aquatic plant 1210 within the culture.The relative counts for each shape within a culture (S1 through Sn) andthe shape variant number (Sn″) for a culture can be expressed asfollows:

Relative counts of a specific shape (S1 . . . Sn) per culture:S1=[AVG of S1(i1.1) . . . S1(in.n′)]S2=[AVG of S2(i1.1) . . . S2(in.n′)]S3=[AVG of S3(i1.1) . . . S3(in.n′)]Shape variant number (Sn″) for a culture:Sn″=[AVG of Sn″(i1.1) . . . Sn″(in.n′)]

where:

-   -   “S” means shape    -   “i” means image;    -   n is an integer representing the culture sampling number (ex.        1-2);    -   n′ is an integer representing the number of an image taken (ex.        1-2) for each culture sampling (e.g. after sample stirring); and    -   n″ is an integer representing the shape variant number.        The matrix below illustrates an exemplary numbering scheme for        images (i1.1, i1.2, etc.) taken of an aquatic plant culture at        specific time points.

$\begin{matrix}{i\; 1.1} & {i\; 1.1} & \ldots & {i\; 1.n^{\prime}} \\{i{.2}{.1}} & {i\; 2.2} & \; & {i\; 2.n^{\prime}} \\\vdots & \; & \; & \vdots \\{i\; n{.1}} & {i\; n{.2}} & \ldots & {i\;{n.n^{\prime}}}\end{matrix}$

Based on the relative counts for each shape in each image taken of anaquatic plant culture, control unit 370 is configured to score eachimage. As shown in FIG. 25A, the score for each image taken (e.g. fourimages) may be averaged by control unit 370 to produce the final shapescore for each aquatic plant culture 1 through 3. The shape score foreach individual image (i1.1, i1.2, i2.1, i2.2, etc.) may be expressedusing the following formula:Image shape score=[a _(S1)(X _(S1))+a _(S2)(X _(S2))+a _(S3)(X _(S3))+ .. . a _(Sn)(X _(Sn))]/(X _(S1) +X _(S2) +X _(S3) + . . . X _(Sn))where:

XS1 . . . XSn=Counts (X) of a defined shape (S1 . . . Sn)

aS1 . . . aSn=Shape factor(a) defined per shape (S1 . . . Sn)

FIG. 25A shows the shape score for each image taken and the averageshape score for three cultures where each culture was sampled twice andtwo images were taken per sample (four images total). In the exampleshown in FIG. 25A, culture 3 received the lowest shape score. The lowshape score for culture 3 stems from the large amount of individualaquatic plants 1210 present within the culture (see FIG. 25B). The largenumber of individual plants in culture 3 may indicate that the cultureis in lag phase or death phase. In contrast, culture 2 received thehighest shape score. As shown in FIG. 25B, culture 2 has the highestrelative amount of plants having shape 1240 (a mother aquatic plant witha per-mature daughter with smaller size connected to each other) and1250 (a mother aquatic plant with a mature daughter with similar sizeconnected to each other). This may indicate that culture 2 is inexponential phase. While FIG. 25A shows results from cultures sampledtwice with two images per sample, a culture can be sampled any number oftimes and each sampling can include any number of images.

It should be noted that a low shape score does not necessarily mean thata culture is dying, dead, stressed, etc. As shown in FIG. 24, a culturein lag phase does not receive an exceptionally high shape score. Assuch, control unit 370 may be configured to score each characteristic ofa culture before it determines the culture's state and adjusts a growthcondition accordingly. Control unit 370 may be configured to score othercharacteristics, e.g. the color, texture, transparency, and size, ofeach aquatic plant culture in a similar fashion to the way it scoredshape as described above. In some embodiments, control unit 370 mayscore each characteristic of an aquatic plant culture and compare thescores with baseline or reference scores (e.g., scores taken at apervious time) stored in database 382. The comparison with baseline orreference scores may allow control unit 370 to determine the currentstate of an aquatic plant culture.

A control unit (e.g., control unit 370) and/or server (e.g., server 384)may be used to collect data (e.g. sensor data from sensors 372 or imagedata from sensors 374) for one or more bioreactors. This data may bemonitored and/or processed (e.g., via an image processing techniquediscussed herein) to control the operation of one or more bioreactors.In some embodiments, the monitored and/or processed data may be used tocoordinate a distribution system for one or more aquatic plant cultures.The distributions system may be used to distribute one or more aquaticplant cultures to individuals (e.g., customers) across the globe.

FIG. 26 shows a schematic of a distribution system 2600 for distributingan aquatic organism, such an aquatic plant culture, according to anembodiment. Distribution system 2600 may include one or more sourcebioreactors 2602 and one or more point-of-use (POU) bioreactors 2604.Source bioreactors 2602 may include one or more of the components ofbioreactor systems 300, 600, and/or 650 discussed herein. In someembodiments, source bioreactors 2602 may include all the components ofbioreactor system 300 and/or bioreactors systems 600 and 650. POUbioreactors 2604 may also include one or more of the components ofbioreactor systems 300, 600, and/or 650. In some embodiments, POUbioreactors 2604 may include all the components of bioreactor system 300and/or bioreactors systems 600 and 650. As illustrated in FIG. 26, bothsource bioreactors 2602 and POU bioreactors 2604 are in communicationwith a server 2606 via a network. Server 2606 may be the same as orsimilar to server 384 and the network may be the same as or similar tonetwork 380. And server 2606 may be configured to perform one or morethe operations of server 384.

Server 2606 may be configured to process information received by sourcebioreactors 2602 and POU bioreactors 2604 and use the information tomonitor and coordinate the distribution of cartridges 2700 containingaquatic plant cultures from source bioreactors 2602 to POU bioreactors2604 (discussed below in detail). Server 2606 may also use theinformation exchanged over the network to adjust various factors (e.g.,growing and/or harvesting conditions at source bioreactors 2602) inorder to optimize the growth of aquatic plant cultures in sourcebioreactors 2602 and/or POU bioreactors 2604. Additionally, server 2606may use the information to optimize the distribution of cartridges 2700(e.g., distribution times and distributions schedules). Detailsregarding the types of information that may be exchanged over server2606 and the actions server 2606 may take in response to receiving andprocessing the exchanged information are discussed below in more detail.

FIG. 27 shows a cartridge 2700 for containing an aquatic plant culture2710 according to an embodiment. Cartridge 2700 may be used to transportaquatic plant culture 2710 from one location to another (e.g., from asource bioreactor 2602 to a POU bioreactor 2604) and protect aquaticplant culture 2710 during transportation. Cartridge 2700 may include aplurality of capsules 2702 coupled together via a body 2704. Cartridge2700 may have any number of capsules 2702 and capsules 2702 may be anysuitable size or shape. Each capsule 2702 may contain an aquatic plantculture 2710 in a preservation medium 2712 or a fertilizer stocksolution 2716. In some embodiments, more than one capsule 2702 incartridge 2700 may contain an aquatic plant culture 2710 in apreservation medium 2712. In some embodiments, more than one capsule2702 in cartridge 2700 may contain a fertilizer stock solution 2716corresponding to an aquatic plant culture 2710 contained in a differentcapsule 2702 of cartridge 2700. An opening 2714 of each capsule 2702 maybe sealed by a seal 2706. In some embodiments, a single seal 2706 mayseal all the capsules 2702 of a cartridge 2700. In some embodiments,individual capsules 2702 may be sealed with individual seals 2706.

FIG. 28 shows a cross-section of cartridge 2700 along line 28-28′ inFIG. 27. As shown in FIG. 28, each capsule 2702 includes a side wall2703 defining an interior volume 2708 for holding aquatic plant culture2710 in preservation medium 2712 or for holding fertilizer stocksolution 2716. In some embodiments, side wall 2703 may comprise animpermeable material (i.e., a material that does not allow air or waterto pass through it). In some embodiments, the impermeable material maybe a metal, such as, but not limited to, aluminum. In some embodiments,the impermeable material may be a food grade plastic, such as, but notlimited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate,polystyrene, or polycarbonate. In some embodiments, side wall 2703 maycomprise an opaque material (e.g., aluminum or an opaque plastic). Insome embodiments, side wall 2703 may comprise a non-opaque material thatis coated with an opaque coating, such as, but not limited to, a paintor a laminate. In some embodiments, side wall 2703 may comprise a highstrength material such that capsule 2702 will retain its shape duringtransportation. For example, the high strength material may resistdeformation due to cartridge 2700 being dropped or heavy objects beingplaced on top of cartridge 2700 during transportation. Resistance todeformation may protect aquatic plant culture 2710 from being subject tohigh pressure caused by a reduction of interior volume 2708 and reducethe possibility of side wall 2703 being punctured during transportation.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of side wall 2703 may comprise agas permeable material that allows the transfer of gases (e.g., oxygenand carbon dioxide) between aquatic plant culture 2710 and theenvironment surrounding cartridge 2700. In some embodiments, only theportion of side wall 2703 defining the capsule(s) 2702 that holdsaquatic plant culture(s) 2710 may be composed, in whole or in part, of agas permeable material. In some embodiments, the gas permeable materialmay be silicone. In embodiments including a gas permeable side wallmaterial, all or a portion of side wall 2703 may be coated with amaterial that allows the transfer of gases, but also protects cartridge2700 from damage (e.g., scratching, puncturing, or denting). In someembodiments, side wall 2703 may include a structural layer coated with agas permeable material (e.g., silicone) to allow the transfer of gasesbetween aquatic plant culture 2710 and the environment surroundingcartridge 2700. In such embodiments, the structural layer may comprise aporous material, such as but not limited to a porous material made of afood grade plastic. The structural layer may protect aquatic plantculture 2710 while the gas permeable material allows the transfer ofgases.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of side wall 2703 may comprise anon-opaque and gas permeable material. In some embodiments, only theportion of side wall 2703 defining the capsule(s) 2702 that holdsaquatic plant culture(s) 2710 may be composed, in whole or in part, of agas permeable and non-opaque material. In some embodiments, the gaspermeable material may be non-opaque silicone. In embodiments includinga non-opaque gas permeable side wall material, all or a portion of sidewall 2703 may be coated with a material that allows the transfer ofgases and light, but also protects cartridge 2700 from damage (e.g.,scratching, puncturing, or denting). In some embodiments, side wall 2703may include a non-opaque structural layer coated with a non-opaque gaspermeable material (e.g., silicone) to allow the transfer of gasesbetween aquatic plant culture 2710 and the environment surroundingcartridge 2700. In such embodiments, the structural layer may comprise aporous material, such as but not limited to a porous material made of afood grade plastic. The structural material may protect aquatic plantculture 2710 while the gas permeable material allows the transfer ofgases.

In some embodiments, side walls 2703 and body 2704 are single integralpiece. In other words, side wall 2703 may be integrally formed with body2704 during manufacturing. In some embodiments, side walls 2703 and body2704 may be separate pieces that are attached using, for example, anadhesive or welding. In some embodiments, side walls 2703 and body 2704may formed of the same material. In some embodiments, side walls 2703and body 2704 may be formed of different materials. In some embodiments,all or a portion of the exterior surface of cartridge 2700 may be coatedwith an anti-microbial coating.

In some embodiments, seal 2706 may comprise an impermeable material,such as, but not limited to, an aluminum foil (with or without polymericfilm layers), rubber, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, orpolycarbonate. In some embodiments, seal 2706 may be composed of thesame material as body 2704 and/or capsules 2702. Seal 2706 may seal witha top wall 2705 of body 2704 to prevent one or more of light, air, andliquid from entering capsule(s) 2702 though opening(s) 2714 ofcapsule(s) 2702. In some embodiments, seal 2706 may be sealed with topwall 2705 using, for example, an adhesive, a weld, or a heat seal.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of seal 2706 may comprise anon-opaque and/or gas permeable material that allows the transfer ofgases (e.g., oxygen and carbon dioxide) between aquatic plant culture2710 and the environment surrounding cartridge 2700. In someembodiments, seal 2706 may be made of silicone. In embodiments includinga seal 2706 that is gas permeable, all or a portion of seal 2706 wallmay be coated with a material that allows the transfer of gases, butalso protects seal 2706 from damage (e.g., scratching, puncturing, ordenting).

Aquatic plant culture 2710 contained within capsule(s) may include anyspecies of aquatic plant, including, but not limited to, Spirodela,Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella, and Wolffia. Aquatic plant culture 2710may be sealed within capsule 2702 in a predetermined life stage. Thepredetermined life stage may be a summer, spring, fall, or winter lifestage, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 29.

Preservation medium 2712 may be a liquid or a gel. In some embodiments,the gel may be an agar based gel. In some embodiments, preservationmedium 2712 may include a dissolved carbon. The dissolved carbon may be,but is not limited to, a sugar such as glucose, sucrose, fructose, and acombination thereof. In such embodiments, dissolved carbon inpreservation medium 2712 provides aquatic plant culture 2710 withnutrients during distribution. When contained in capsule 2702, aquaticplant culture 2710 consumes the dissolved carbon to generate energyneeded to survive in cartridge 2700 during distribution of cartridge2700. In embodiments where side wall 2703 surrounding aquatic plantculture 2710 is made of an impermeable and/or opaque material, aquaticplant culture 2710 will need the dissolved carbon to survive becausephotosynthesis (the aquatic plant culture's natural energy generatingprocess) will be prevented by the material of side wall 2703.

Aquatic plant culture 2710 will consume oxygen and generate carbondioxide inside capsule 2702 while converting the dissolved carbon inpreservation medium 2712 into energy. An aquatic plant culture housed ina capsule 2702 made of, in whole or in part, a gas permeable materialmay allow the aquatic plant culture to survive longer in cartridge 2700,compared to a capsule 2702 composed solely of an impermeable material.The gas permeable material will allow carbon dioxide within capsule 2702to be replaced with oxygen from the environment surrounding cartridge2700, thereby preventing an anaerobic condition within capsule 2702,which is harmful to the aquatic plant culture.

In some embodiments, preservation medium 2712 may not include adissolved carbon. In such embodiments, all or a portion of side wall2703 surrounding aquatic plant culture 2710 may be made of a non-opaqueand gas preamble material. In such embodiments, the non-opaque gaspermeable material will allow photosynthesis to occur by allowingaquatic plant culture 2710 to receive light and carbon dioxide from theenvironment surrounding cartridge 2700. The gas permeable material willalso allow oxygen, created during photosynthesis, to escape cartridge2700. Allowing photosynthesis to occur while aquatic plant culture 2710is within cartridge 2700 may allow aquatic plant culture 2710 to slowlymature during distribution of cartridge 2700, rather than only providingaquatic plant culture 2710 with nutrients (i.e., dissolved carbon) tokeep it alive. Slow maturation of aquatic plant culture 2710 duringdistribution may facilitate rapid recovery and growth of aquatic plantculture 2710 when it is received at a bioreactor (e.g., at a POUbioreactor 2604). In some embodiments, an aquatic plant culture 2710 mayslowly mature within a capsule 2702 of cartridge 2700 for 2-3 weeks. Butthe time may be extended depending on temperature. Decreasing thetemperature of the aquatic plant culture will decrease the maturationrate of the aquatic plant culture, thus decreasing the amount of energyneeded to survive. In some embodiments, preservation medium 2712 mayinclude a dissolved carbon and all or a portion of side wall 2703surrounding aquatic plant culture 2710 may be made of a non-opaque andgas preamble material.

In some embodiments, cartridges 2700 may be used for long term storageof aquatic plant cultures. For example, aquatic plant cultures in winterphase may be stored at low temperatures (e.g., 2° C.-8° C.) for at least3 months. The low temperature facilitates long term storage bydecreasing the maturation and development of the aquatic plant cultures,thereby decreasing the energy required to survive. In other words, thelow temperature may keep the aquatic plant culture in the dormant winterstage for an extended period of time. Capsules made of the impermeable,gas permeable, and/or non-opaque materials discussed above with regardsto capsules 2702 may be used to house aquatic plant cultures for anextended period of time. And during long term storage, the aquatic plantcultures may survive by converting dissolved carbon in a preservationmedium into energy and/or via photosynthesis. In some embodiments, thelong term storage of aquatic plant cultures serves as a biobank ofviable aquatic plant cultures capable of being introduced into abioreactor for maturation, growth, and harvesting.

Fertilizer stock solution 2716 contained in one or more capsules 2702may include one or more macro- or micro-elements including, but notlimited to, nitrogen, phosphorous, iron, potassium, sulfur, calcium,magnesium, zinc, compounds containing at least one of these elements,and combinations thereof. Fertilizer stock solution 2716 may be packagedin capsules 2702 in any suitable form. In some embodiments, fertilizerstock solution 2716 may be a liquid or semi-solid. In some embodiments,fertilizer stock solution 2716 may be a solid such as, but not limitedto, a powder or a granulated solid. In some embodiments, fertilizerstock solution 2716 may be a specific blend of fertilizer elementsdesigned for a specific species of aquatic plant culture 2710. In someembodiments, fertilizer stock solution 2716 may be a certified organicfertilizer solution. In some embodiments, different capsules 2702 ofcartridge 2700 contain different types of fertilizer stock solutions2716 that are extracted and utilized at a POU bioreactor 2604 accordingto a protocol for optimizing the growing conditions for an aquatic plantculture 2710. The fertilizer stock solution protocol may be instructionsrelated to the types and amounts of fertilizer stock solution(s) 2716and the timing for fertilizer stock solution 2716 dosages within a POUbioreactor 2604. In some embodiments, the protocol may be included inthe cartridge identification information on an identification label 2720(see FIG. 27) associated with a cartridge 2700.

In some embodiments, a cartridge 2700 may include fertilizer stocksolutions 2716 only, which may be transferred to stock fertilizercontainers associated with a bioreactor system. In such embodiments, afertilizer medium may be prepared in the system (e.g., by mixing thecomponents of the fertilizer medium) from the stock fertilizer solutioncontainers and transferred to a location within a bioreactor system(e.g., incubation-growing chamber 321). The control unit associated witha bioreactor system (e.g., control unit 2612 or control unit 2614) maycontrol the preparation and transfer of the fertilizer medium.

In some embodiments, one or more capsules 2702 may contain othersubstances, including, but not limited to, cleaning agents andadditives. A cleaning agent may be provided for cleaning a POUbioreactor 2604. In some embodiments, a cartridge 2700 may contain onlycleaning agents for cleaning a POU bioreactor 2604. Instructions for thecleaning process and the utilization of the cleaning agent(s) may beprovided on identification label 2720 and executed by control unit 2614.Instructions related to the additives (e.g., amount and timing of doses)may also be provided on identification label 2720 and executed bycontrol unit 2614.

Cartridge 2700 may include one or more identification labels 2720 withcartridge identification information located thereon. Identificationlabel(s) 2720 may be, but are not limited to, a barcode, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) chip, and a quick response (QR)code. Identification label(s) 2720 may be located anywhere on cartridge2700. In some embodiments, identification label(s) 2720 may be locatedon the exterior or interior surface of a side wall 2703. In someembodiments, identification label(s) 2720 may be located on body 2704 orseal 2706. The identification label(s) 2720 may include coded cartridgeidentification information related to a cartridge 2700. In someembodiments, the identification label(s) 2720 may additionally oralternatively include non-coded information, such as dates ordescriptive symbols. In some embodiments, identification labels 2720 maynot be located on cartridge 2700, but may be provided separately (e.g.,on a receipt or information pamphlet distributed along with a cartridge2700).

Identification label(s) 2720 may include cartridge identificationinformation (coded or non-coded) related one or more of the followingaspects of a cartridge 2700: (i) the contents of one or more sealedcapsules 2702 (e.g., whether a capsule 2702 contains an aquatic plantculture 2710 or a fertilizer stock solution 2716), (ii) the type (e.g.,species) of aquatic plant culture 2710 contained within at least one ofthe sealed capsules 2702, (iii) the type of fertilizer stock solution2716 contained within at least one of the sealed capsules 2702, (iv) thedate the capsules 2702 were sealed, (v) the type of preservation medium2712 contained within at least one of the sealed capsules 2702, (vi) theoptimum growing conditions for the type of aquatic plant culture 2710contained within at least one of the sealed capsules 2702, (vii) thelocation where the capsules 2702 were sealed (e.g., the sourcebioreactor 2602 from which the aquatic plant culture originated), (viii)a SKU (stock keeping unit) number, and (ix) a fertilizer stock solutionprotocol for an aquatic plant culture 2710 contained within at least oneof the sealed capsules 2702.

In some embodiments, identification label(s) 2720 include codedinformation that includes authentication information related to thesource of cartridge 2700. The authentication information may be used toindicate whether or not a cartridge 2700 is a valid cartridge sent froman approved entity. In other words, the authentication information maybe used to prevent the use of counterfeit cartridges that may be harmfulto a POU bioreactor 2604. A cartridge lacking the appropriateauthentication information may indicate that the cartridge is acounterfeit cartridge manufactured or distributed by a non-approvedentity, which may contain a diseased aquatic plant culture and/or bemade with unacceptable materials (e.g., harmful plastics). A diseasedaquatic plant culture may contaminate the entire POU bioreactor 2604 andrequire extensive cleaning and sterilization before the POU bioreactor2604 can be put back into use. And cartridges 2700 made withunacceptable materials may result in a contaminated aquatic plantculture being introduced into the POU bioreactor 2604, which would alsorequire extensive cleaning and sterilization before the POU bioreactor2604 can be put back into use. If a cartridge 2700 lacks the appropriateauthentication information, a control unit 2614 of a POU bioreactor 2604may discard (or reject) that cartridge 2700.

Each item of cartridge identification information located onidentification labels 2720 may be utilized by at least a control unit2614 of a POU bioreactor 2604 and server 2606 within distribution system2600. Control unit 2614 may be configured to control the operation of aPOU bioreactor 2604 based on the cartridge identification information.Server 2606 may be configured to track and coordinate the distributionof cartridges 2700 and/or control the operation of a POU bioreactor 2604using the cartridge identification information.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, cartridge 2700 may include one or morecartridge sensors 2722. Cartridge sensors 2722 may sense a physical orchemical condition related to cartridge 2700 and/or the environmentsurrounding cartridge 2700. In some embodiments, one or more cartridgesensors 2722 are located within one or more capsules 2702 (e.g., on theinterior surface of a side wall 2703 as shown in FIG. 28) for sensing acondition within capsules 2702. In some embodiments, one or morecartridge sensors 2722 may be located on an external surface ofcartridge 2700. For example, on the exterior surface of side wall 2703(see, e.g., FIG. 27) or on seal 2706. Cartridge sensors 2722 may beoptical or electrical sensors. Cartridge sensors 2722 may be, but arenot limited to, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, oxygen sensors,light sensors, and pH sensors. Cartridge sensors 2722 may indicate,either visually or electronically, a physical or chemical condition thatmay be harmful to an aquatic plant culture 2710 contained with cartridge2700.

For example, a temperature sensor may indicate if a threshold maximum orminimum temperature has been reached during distribution of cartridge2700. The threshold maximum temperature may be greater than or equal to28° C. The threshold minimum temperature be less than or equal to 2° C.The temperature sensor may indicate that the maximum or minimumthreshold temperature has been reached, for example, by changing coloror by electronically storing an indication thereof. In some embodiments,temperature sensor may indicate whether or not the maximum or minimumtemperature was reached and sustained for a certain amount of time. Asanother example, an oxygen sensor located within a capsule 2702 mayindicate an increase in oxygen within capsule 2702 during distribution,thus indicating that the seal for that capsule 2702 has beencompromised. The oxygen sensor may indicate a change in oxygen levelseither optically or electronically. The electrical or optical signalfrom cartridge sensors 2722 may be read by a reader 2618 located in theinput unit of a POU bioreactor 2604. If a cartridge sensor 2722indicates a harmful condition, control unit 2614 of a POU bioreactor2604 may discard (or reject) that cartridge 2700.

In some embodiments, cartridge sensor(s) 2722 may be configured to storechanges in a condition during distribution of cartridge 2700. Forexample, a temperature cartridge sensor 2722 may record of log oftemperatures that cartridge 2700 experienced during distribution. Assuch, cartridge sensor(s) 2722 may create a log of the conditionsexperienced during a cartridge's distribution trip.

An aquatic plant culture, such as Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna,Wolffiella, and Wolffia, has a natural life cycle having four naturallife stages. These natural life stages, which are depicted in FIG. 29,are a summer life stage, an autumn life stage, a winter life stage, anda spring life stage. In nature, an aquatic plant culture may movethrough these four life stages over the course of year. An aquatic plantculture behaves in specific manner during each life stage. And differentspecies of aquatic plant cultures may behave differently from others.

In the “summer life stage” or “vegetative stage” a substantial amount ofthe aquatic plants in an aquatic plant culture are “frond” plants.Fronds are leafy plants that float on the top of an aqueous body, suchas a pond or a lake. An aquatic plant culture may be deemed to be insummer life stage when the rate of production of new frond daughterplants is approximately equal to the rate of death of frond motherplants (e.g., when the aquatic plant culture has reached maximum densitywithin a system). The summer life stage is an aquatic plant culture'sfully developed stage. In this stage, the aquatic plant culture may growat a relatively constant rate and contains a large amount of nutrients,e.g., protein. The frond plants float on top of the aqueous body so thatthey can absorb large amounts of sunlight for photosynthesis. The largevolume of floating frond plants during summer life stage allows theaquatic plant culture to dominate over other organisms within an aqueousbody by depriving other organisms of light and oxygen required forgrowth. The duration of the summer life stage will depend on theenvironment surrounding the aquatic plant culture (e.g., ecologicalconductions such as the amount of sunlight, dissolved nutrients, and thewater temperature).

When ecological conditions warrant, the aquatic plant culture willtransition from summer life stage to “autumn life stage.” In autumn lifestage, the frond plants may transition to “turions.” Turions are adormant form of the aquatic plants, which may be referred to as “winterbuds,” “overwinter buds,” or “sinkers.” The culture transitions fromfrond plants to turion plants when mother frond plants receive a naturalsignal, based on ecological conditions, to produce a turion as its nextdaughter plant. During autumn stage, turion daughter plants are producedand may sink while the frond mother plants will float till they die. Aturion plant is different from a frond plant in various ways. Forexample, the protein in the frond plants is replaced with starch in theturions. The starch provides an energy storage that will enable theturions to survive, transition back to fronds, and float when theenvironmental conditions improve. An aquatic plant culture may be deemedto be in autumn life stage when the production rate of new fronddaughter plants is less than the production rate of turion daughterplants. The duration of the autumn life stage will depend on theenvironment surrounding the aquatic plant culture (e.g., ecologicalconditions such as the amount of sunlight, dissolved nutrients, and thewater temperature). Additionally, for some species and/or somegeographical areas of aquatic plant cultures, the summer fronds will nottransition to turions that sink, but to turions that will remainfloaters in a form having very slow growth.

In “winter life stage,” almost all of the plants within an aquatic plantculture may be turions and remain dormant, usually at the bottom of anaqueous body. The duration of winter life stage will depend on theenvironment surrounding the aquatic plant culture (e.g., ecologicalconductions such as the amount of sunlight and the water temperature).Some aquatic plant cultures may not transition from the turion dormantform, and will continue to produce, yet at a very low rate, new daughterfrond plants during winter life stage.

When ecological conditions warrant (e.g., when days become longer (moresunlight) and the temperature rises), the dormant turion plants willbegin to transition to frond plants and re-float to the surface of anaqueous body. The transition from turion plants to frond plants iscalled “pre-spring life stage.” During “spring life stage,” there is alarge amount of growth as the plants transitioned to fronds beginproducing new daughter frond plants at a very high rate. An aquaticplant culture may be deemed to be in spring life stage when the rate ofproduction of new frond daughter plants is greater than the rate ofdeath of mother frond plants. For example, the spring growth rate for anaquatic plant culture may result in the biomass of the aquatic plantculture doubling every 48 hours. This high production rate of new fronddaughter plants continues until the aquatic plant culture reaches summerlife stage. The duration of spring life stage will depend on theenvironment surrounding the aquatic plant culture (e.g., ecologicalconditions such as the amount of sunlight, dissolved nutrients, and thewater temperature).

In nature, a culture of aquatic plants typically repeats this four stagelife cycle on an annual basis. The ecological conditions (e.g., amountof sunlight, dissolved molecules, and temperature) surrounding theaquatic plant culture may dictate the transition between the differentlife stages. Different species of aquatic plants at differentgeographical locations may have different life cycle patterns and/orlife stage durations. Also, the behavior an aquatic plant culture may behighly related to the geographical area and the climate conditions inwhich the aquatic plant culture is growing. For example, in areas wherethere is not a very cold winter, the turions may not sink to the bottomof the aqueous body and spring life stage may last longer.

In a bioreactor, the ecological conditions, and therefore the life stageof an aquatic plant culture, can be controlled by biomimicking thenatural ecological conditions for each life stage of an aquatic plantculture. For example, a control unit (e.g., control unit 370 in FIG. 3)may control one or more ecological conditions, thus controlling the lifestage of an aquatic plant culture. These ecological conditions mayinclude, but are not limited to, physical conditions (such as light andtemperature level and timing, water flow rate, air flow and pressure,and organism dynamic concentrations), and chemical conditions of thegrowth substrate (such as potential hydrogen, Ion concentration,fertilizer compounds, dissolved CO2 and air composition). Accordingly, abioreactor may be used to cultivate an aquatic plant culture in aspecific and predetermined life stage. In some embodiments, a bioreactormay be used to cultivate an aquatic plant culture through differentsubsequent life stages or a full life cycle. Moreover, a bioreactor maybe used to harvest an aquatic plant culture in a specific andpredetermined life stage. It should be noted that the natural ecologicalconditions for a given species may be different from other species. Insome embodiments, a control unit of a bioreactor may be configured toadjust growing conditions within the bioreactor based on the species ofaquatic plant culture being grown in that bioreactor.

Returning now to distribution system 2600 for distributing an aquaticplant culture illustrated in FIG. 26. A source bioreactor 2602, andspecifically a control unit 2612 of source bioreactor 2602, may beconfigured to grow large amounts of an aquatic plant culture for anextended period of time (e.g., a plurality of years). Source bioreactor2602 may be configured to allow an aquatic plant culture to move througheach life stage (i.e., summer, autumn, winter, and spring) bycontrolling the ecological conditions of the aquatic plant culturegrowing within source bioreactor 102. Control unit 2612 may be the sameas or similar to control unit 370 discussed above. And may control unit2612 may be configured to perform one or more the operations of controlunit 370 discussed above. Control unit 2612 may be configured to sendinformation related to the operation of a source bioreactor 2602 toserver 2606. The information related to the operation of sourcebioreactor 2602 may be, but is not limited to, a harvesting schedule,the specie(s) of aquatic plant cultures begin grown by the sourcebioreactor 2602, the operating status of the source bioreactor (e.g.,fully operational or out-of-service), and the volume of aquatic plantsavailable for harvesting.

In contrast to source bioreactors 2602, a POU bioreactor 2604, andspecifically control unit 2614 of POU bioreactor 2604, may be configuredto grow relatively small batches of an aquatic plant culture in aspecific life stage or specific set of life stages. For example, a POUbioreactor 2604 may be configured to continuously mimic the springcondition of a given aquatic plant culture so as to continuously growthat culture in spring life stage. Control unit 2614 may be the same asor similar to control unit 370 discussed above. And control unit 2614may be configured to perform one or more the operations of control unit370 discussed above. POU bioreactors 2604 may be designed for commercialor home use. For example, POU bioreactors 2604 may be designed for usein the kitchen of a home or in a restaurant. As another example, POUbioreactors 2604 may be designed as a kiosk or self-serving unit for usein restaurants, office buildings, or public areas (e.g., malls orshopping centers). In some embodiments, POU bioreactors 2604 may growaquatic plant cultures through all four life stages.

In some embodiments, POU bioreactors 2604 constantly output (via, e.g.,output unit 360) aquatic plants in a spring life stage when the nutrientcontent of the aquatic plants is high. Since the spring life stage of anaquatic plant culture may not be able to be indefinitely sustained andbecause aquatic plants will be harvested and consumed at POU bioreactors2604, new batches of aquatic plant cultures (e.g., sealed in capsules2702 of cartridges 2700) need to be supplied to POU bioreactors 2604 ona regular basis to ensure that POU bioreactors 2604 have aquatic plantswith a high nutrient content ready for harvesting. In some embodiments,POU bioreactors 2604 may be supplied with new aquatic plant cultures ona bi-weekly or monthly basis.

Server 2606 in communication with source bioreactors 2602 and POUbioreactors 2604 may facilitate the constant supply of new batches ofaquatic plant cultures from source bioreactors 2602 to POU bioreactors2604. Server 2606 may use information collected from source bioreactors2602 and POU bioreactors 2604 to monitor the operation of thebioreactors. Server 2606 may also track the distribution of cartridges2700 containing aquatic plant cultures 2710 sealed in capsules 2702using information located on identification labels 2720 associated withcartridges 2700. Server 2606 may use the information collected fromsource bioreactors 2602, POU bioreactors 2604, and the information onidentification labels 2720 associated with cartridges 2700 to track thedistribution of cartridges 2700 and adjust one or more operations withindistribution system 2600 (e.g., shipment dates, growth conditions in asource bioreactor 2602, harvesting date/time for a source bioreactor2602, etc.) as discussed below in detail. Server 2606 may track thedistribution of cartridges 2700 and adjust one or more operations withindistribution system 2600 to ensure that each POU bioreactor 2604consistently receives new and viable batches of aquatic plant culturesin sealed in cartridges 2700 in a timely and efficient manner.

A constant and reliable supply of viable aquatic plant cultures withindistribution system 2600 may be accomplished by offsetting the lifecycles of the aquatic plant cultures growing in different sourcebioreactors 2602. Cycle setting may be performed by stimulating (orinitiating) selected cycle stage plants to develop to the next cyclestage plants. For example, stimulating summer life stage or spring lifestage fronds to transition to winter life stage plants, or stimulatingwinter life stage plants to transition to early spring life stageplants. A whole life cycle duration may be a year, shorter than a yearor longer. And offsetting between source bioreactors 2602 may bedependent on the duration of the whole applied life cycle. The lifecycles may be offset from each other such that, at any given time, anaquatic plant culture in specific life stage is available forharvesting. For example, if the whole life cycle duration is a year anddistribution system 2600 contains four source bioreactors 2602, the lifecycle of the aquatic plant cultures growing within the growing units 330of different source bioreactors 2602 may be offset from each other byapproximately 3 months.

Table 1 illustrates the respective life stages for the aquatic plantcultures in each of the four source bioreactors 2602 in such adistribution system. For simplicity, the exemplary time periods for eachlife stage in Table 1 are three months. But, the time periods may beshorter or longer depending on ecological conditions in each sourcebioreactor 2602 and/or the number of source bioreactors 2602 within agiven distribution system. Additionally, each life stage does notnecessary last for the same amount of time. For example, the winterstage for each source bioreactor 2602 may be shortened (e.g., viacontrol unit 370 altering the ecological/growth conditions within eachsource bioreactor 2602) to approximately a 2-3 weeks while the otherlife stages are extended in time. This will result in more aquaticplants being in spring stage. And in embodiments where it is desirableto harvest and package aquatic plant cultures in spring stage, this willresult more aquatic plants being ready for harvesting at a given time.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Life Stages For Aquatic Plant Cultures in DifferentSource Bioreactors. Spring life stage fronds may be harvested andpackaged from bioreactor 1 during October-December; from bioreactor 2during January-March; from bioreactor 3 during April-June; and frombioreactor 4 during July-September. Summer Autumn Winter Spring SourceJanuary- April-June July- October- Bioreactor #1 March SeptemberDecember Source April-June July- October- January- Bioreactor #2September December March Source July- October- January- April-JuneBioreactor #3 September December March Source October- January-April-June July- Bioreactor #4 December March September

As shown Table 1, regardless of which month of the year it is, anaquatic plant culture in each life stage is available for harvestingfrom one of the four source bioreactors 2602. For example, if it isdesirable to harvest and package an aquatic plant culture in the springlife stage, source bioreactor #1 is available for harvesting in Octoberthrough December, source bioreactor #2 is available for harvesting inJanuary through March, source bioreactor #3 is available for harvestingin April through June, and source bioreactor #4 is available forharvesting in July through September.

The offsetting of source bioreactors 2602 and the control of the lifestages within each bioreactor facilitates the planning andimplementation of distributing aquatic plant cultures to variouslocations (e.g., various POU bioreactors 2604). In some embodiments,server 2606 may receive information related to the current life stagefor the aquatic plant culture(s) in each source bioreactor 2602. Server2606 may use this information to facilitate efficient distribution of anaquatic plant cultures sealed in cartridges 2700.

While multiple source bioreactors 2602 have been described as havingoffset growth stages of aquatic plant cultures, a single sourcebioreactor 2602 may include a plurality of growing units (e.g., growingunits 330) for growing aquatic plant cultures with offset life stages.For example, a source bioreactor 2602 may include four growing units 330with aquatic plant cultures having life stages offset as described inTable 1. In such an embodiment, control unit 2612 may control theecological conditions in each growing unit 330 to control the life stageof the aquatic plant culture in each growing unit 330. Additionally,while four source bioreactors 2602 have been described, distributionsystem 2600 may include any number of source bioreactors 2602 (with anynumber of growing units 330) for growing aquatic plant cultures withlife stages that coincide or are offset. As a non-limiting example,distribution system 2600 may include 12 source bioreactors 2602, eachgrowing an aquatic plant culture in a life stage that is offset by onemonth relative to the other bioreactors (i.e., the life cycles for the12 aquatic plant cultures are offset sequentially by one month). Server2606 may track the life stages of aquatic plants in each sourcebioreactor 2602 and/or growing unit 330 and may adjust the life stagesaccordingly.

In some embodiments, source bioreactors 2602 within distribution system2600 may grow aquatic plant cultures through a full life cycle with eachculture having shifted cycle initiation times. In some embodiments, anaquatic plant culture's whole life cycle duration may be a year, shorterthan a year, or longer. In some embodiments, the life cycle of differentaquatic plant cultures within distribution system 2600 may be offset byinitiating specific life cycles at different times. For example, a cycleinitiation step may be performed by stimulating summer life stage orspring life stage fronds to transition to winter life stage, or bystimulating winter life stage plants to transition to spring life stageplants. Shifting initiation time between source bioreactors 2602 may bedependent on the duration of the whole applied life cycle in order toensure that at any given time one or more source bioreactors 2602generates aquatic plants suitable to be harvested and packaged. Cycleinitiations may be performed under the control of server 2606 and/orcontrol unit 2612.

As a non-limiting example, distribution system 2600 may include 12source bioreactors 2602 and the initiation step in each sourcebioreactor 2602 may be performed in subsequent intervals separated by amonth. If the duration of the whole life cycle applied is a year, andevery month (i.e., January-December) early spring life stage aquaticplants need to be harvested and packaged, the initiation step may beperformed by stimulating winter life stage plants to transition to earlyspring life stage fronds at specific times within each source bioreactor2602 separated by a month. For example, a first source bioreactor 2602may be initiated in January, a second source bioreactor 2602 may beinitiated in February, a third source bioreactor may be initiated inMarch, and so on. Thus in the next January, early spring life stagefrond plants can be harvested from the first source bioreactor 2602, inthe next February early spring life stage frond plants can be harvestedfrom the second source bioreactor, and so on.

When an aquatic plant culture reaches a predetermined life stage in asource bioreactor 2602, that aquatic plant culture may be harvested,divided into portions, and packaged for distribution. An output unit ofsource bioreactor 2602 (e.g., output unit 360) may output a quantity ofaquatic plant culture to be packaged into a shipping container (e.g.,into capsule 2702 of cartridge 2700). In some embodiments, the outputunit of source bioreactor 2602 may include a sterilization unit (e.g.,sterilization units 5600 or 5700).

Source bioreactors 2602 may be configured to harvest an aquatic plantculture in any life stage and may harvest either frond or turion plants.In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 26, source bioreactor 2602 mayinclude a labeling unit 2630 for placing identification label(s) 2720and/or cartridge sensor(s) 2722 on cartridges 2700. In some embodiments,labeling unit 2630 may be a separate unit in communication with one ormore source bioreactors 2602. Control unit 2612 may be configured tocontrol labeling unit 2630 or communicate with a control unit oflabeling unit 2630. Control unit 2612 may be configured to send thecartridge identification information located on identification label(s)2720 to server 2606 after a cartridge 2700 has been labeled.

The predetermined life stage in which an aquatic plant culture isharvested and packaged may be based on at least a need for the aquaticplant culture and the distribution time required to send a cartridge2700 containing the harvested aquatic plant culture to a certainlocation. In some embodiments, the determination of which life stage anaquatic plant culture should be harvested at is determined based oninformation collected by server 2606. In some embodiments, server 2606may control or instruct the harvesting of an aquatic plant culture in apredetermined life stage from one or more source bioreactors 2602 and/orgrowing units 330.

As an exemplary embodiment, an aquatic plant culture may be harvestedand packaged into capsule 2702 in spring life stage. When packaged inspring life stage, the aquatic plant culture may be packaged in acapsule 2702 designed to preserve the aquatic plant culture in springlife stage and at the same time within spring life stage that it waswhen packaged into capsule 2702. In other words, the spring life stagewill be locked in time and the characteristics of the aquatic plantculture 2710 will not be altered while in capsule 2702. Therefore, whenthe aquatic plant culture is received at a POU bioreactor 2604, it willbehave as if it never left the source bioreactor 2602. In someembodiments, the aquatic plant culture may be packaged in a capsule 2702designed to facilitate slow maturation of the aquatic plant culture inthe spring life stage during distribution.

When received by a POU bioreactor 2604, the aquatic plant culture willresume (or continue) its spring life stage in the growing unit (e.g.,growing unit 330) of POU bioreactor 2604. As such, nutrient dense frondplants will quickly grow and become available for harvesting and/orconsumption at POU bioreactors 2604. In some embodiments, an aquaticplant culture in spring life stage may be suitably preserved (or allowedto slowly mature) in preservation medium 2712 for 1-2 weeks. But it maybe longer. The ability of preservation medium 2712 to preserve (orfacilitate slow maturation of) an aquatic plant culture may be dependenton the type and amount of preservation medium packaged with a capsule2702.

As other exemplary embodiment, an aquatic plant culture may be harvestedand packaged into a capsule 2702 in winter life stage. In someembodiments, when packaged in winter life stage, the aquatic plantculture may be packaged in a capsule 2702 designed to preserve theaquatic plant culture in winter life stage. In some embodiments, theaquatic plant culture may be packaged in a capsule 2702 designed tofacilitate slow maturation of the aquatic plant culture. Therefore, whenthe aquatic plant culture is received at a POU bioreactor 2604, it willresume (or continue) its winter life stage in POU bioreactor 2604 andtransition into spring life stage at the appropriate time (e.g., underthe control of control unit 2614). In some embodiments, an aquatic plantculture in winter life stage may be suitably preserved (or allowed toslowly mature) in preservation medium 2712 for 1-3 weeks. A packagedaquatic plant culture in winter life stage may survive longer, relativeto a culture in spring life stage, because the plant culture is in anaturally dormant life stage. In winter life stage, the aquatic plantculture may consume less nutrients, and thus may be capable of survivingfor an extended period of time within preservation medium, when comparedto an aquatic plant culture in spring life stage. The preservation orslow maturation of an aquatic plant culture in winter stage may belonger than 1-3 weeks. The ability of preservation medium 2712 topreserve (or facilitate slow maturation of) an aquatic plant culture maybe dependent on the type and amount of preservation medium packaged witha capsule 2702.

In some embodiments, an aquatic plant culture may be harvested andpackaged at a specific time during a predetermined life stage. Forexample, an aquatic plant culture may be harvested and packaged in thefirst two weeks of its spring life stage. An aquatic plant cultureharvested and packaged at this time will behave like it has just enteredspring life stage when it is introduced into a POU bioreactor 2604. Thismakes the spring life stage, which rapidly produces nutrient densefronds plants quickly available for harvesting and/or consumption at POUbioreactors 2604. As another example, an aquatic plant culture may beharvested and packaged in its winter life stage. An aquatic plantculture harvested and packaged at this time may take some time totransition into spring life stage in POU bioreactors 2604 (when comparedto a culture harvested in spring life stage), but it may survive longerin preservation medium 2712. This may allow the culture to have a longershelf life, and thus storage time, and allow it to be distributed overlonger distances. While specific harvesting and packaging times havebeen discussed above, aquatic plant cultures growing within sourcebioreactors 2602 may be harvested at any time depending on one morefactors. Server 2606 may control, monitor, and adjust harvesting andpackaging times for aquatic plant cultures growing within sourcebioreactors 2602 in distribution system 2600 based on informationreceived from source bioreactors 2602 and POU bioreactors 2604.

In some embodiments, only “seasoned” aquatic plant cultures may beharvested and packaged for distribution. A “seasoned” aquatic plantculture means a culture of aquatic plants that has already maturedthrough an entire life cycle in a bioreactor (i.e. progressed through atleast one spring life stage, at least one summer life stage, at leastone autumn life stage, and at least one winter life stage). For example,if a source bioreactor 2602 begins growing an aquatic plant culture inspring life stage on Jan. 1, 2014, and it takes a year for the aquaticplant culture to progress though all four life stages, that aquaticplant culture will be “seasoned” as of Jan. 1, 2015. As such, theseasoned aquatic plant culture will first be available for harvesting onJan. 1, 2015. As other example, if a source bioreactor 102 beginsgrowing an aquatic plant culture in winter life stage on Apr. 1, 2014,and it takes a year for the aquatic plant culture to progress throughall four life stages, that aquatic plant culture will be “seasoned” asof Apr. 1, 2015. Individual plants within an aquatic plant culture aredeemed to be seasoned if the culture that produces the individual plantis deemed to be seasoned. For example, if a new individual aquatic plantdevelops within an aquatic plant culture that has been growing for threeyears (e.g., passed through three spring, summer, autumn, and winterstages), the new individual aquatic plant is considered to be “seasoned”because it was produced by a “seasoned” aquatic plant culture.

Harvesting seasoned aquatic plant cultures may help to ensure qualitycontrol. The viability and sustainably of an aquatic plant culture maybe higher for a seasoned aquatic plant culture since it has shown itsability to sustain viability for at least one life cycle. Furthermore, aseasoned aquatic plant culture may be optimized (e.g., for shipping orgrowing in POU bioreactor 2604) by controlling the growing conditions ofthe aquatic plant culture within a source bioreactor 2602 throughout itsfirst life cycle. Moreover, it is less likely that any contaminationand/or unhealthy plants would be present in a seasoned aquatic plantculture. Contamination may be identified and removed from the cultureduring its first life cycle and unhealthy plants may be nursed to healthor removed from the culture during its first life cycle (e.g., undercontrol of control unit 2612). Moreover, harvesting seasoned aquaticplant cultures may help to synchronize the offsetting of bioreactors toensure a constant and reliable supply of viable aquatic plant culturesto be packaged.

When a portion of an aquatic plant culture is harvested and packaged ina capsule 2702 of a cartridge 2700, one or more fertilizer stocksolutions 2716 may be packaged in other capsules 2702 of cartridge 2700.The type of fertilizer stock solutions 2716 may be selected based on thespecies of aquatic plant culture 2710. In some embodiments, differenttypes of fertilizer stock solutions 2716 may be packaged into differentcapsules 2702 of a cartridge 2700. Information related to the type andamount of fertilizer stock solution(s) 2716 packaged within one or morecapsules 2702 may be included in the information located onidentification label 2720 associated with a cartridge 2700. Control unit2614 of a POU bioreactor 2604 may use this information to appropriatelyfertilize the aquatic plant culture once it is received by the POUbioreactor 2604.

Identification label 2720 may also include information related to thetype and/or amount of preservation medium 2712 packaged with aquaticplant culture 2710 within a capsule 2702. In some embodiments, multiplecapsules 2702 of a cartridge 2700 may contain separate aquatic plantcultures 2710, which may be the same or different species. Once theappropriate aquatic plant culture(s) 2710, preservation medium(s) 2712,and fertilizer stock solution(s) 2716 are packaged within a cartridge2700, cartridge 2700 may be labeled with identification label 2720.

As depicted in FIG. 26, once the appropriate aquatic plant culture(s)2710, preservation medium(s) 2712, and fertilizer stock solution(s) 2716are packaged within a cartridge 2700 and cartridge 2700 is labeled withidentification label 2720, cartridge 2700 may be distributed to aspecific location and/or specific POU bioreactor 2604. The distributionof individual cartridges 2700 may depend on at least one of thefollowing factors: (1) a need for an aquatic plant culture, (2) thedistribution time required to send the cartridge a location, and (3) thepredetermined life stage of the portion of the aquatic plant culturepackaged within cartridge 2700. Server 2606 may be configured todistribute cartridges 2700 to specific locations and/or specific POUbioreactors 2604 based on at least the above factors. In someembodiments, server 2606 may be configured to automatically distributecartridges 2700 to specific locations and/or specific POU bioreactors2604 based on at least the above factors.

After arriving at its destination, cartridge 2700 may be placed into theinput unit (e.g., input unit 320) of a POU bioreactor 2604. Oncereceived in input unit 320, POU bioreactor 2604, and specificallycontrol unit 2614 of POU bioreactor 2604, may perform an initializationprocesses for cartridge 2700 and the aquatic plant culture(s) containedtherein. The initialization process may include one or more of thefollowing steps: reading identification label(s) 2720, recording a timestamp of when cartridge 2700 is received by POU bioreactor 2604, readingcartridge sensor(s) 2722, taking an image of the aquatic plantculture(s) contained with a capsule 2702, sending the aquatic plantculture(s) to an incubation unit (e.g., incubation-growing chamber 321),taking an image of the aquatic plant culture(s) in the incubation unit,and preforming an image processing technique on the images collected todetermine at least one characteristic of the aquatic plant culture(s).

Control unit 2614 may include a scanner 2616 configured to read codedinformation on identification label 2720. Scanner 2616 may be, but isnot limited to, a barcode scanner, an RFID sensor, and a QR codescanner. Scanner 2616 may be located within the input unit of a POUbioreactor 2604 and/or may be accessible from the exterior of POUbioreactor 2604 so that a user can manually operate scanner 2616.Control unit 2614 may be configured to receive, process, and/or storeall the information collected during the initialization process. Controlunit 2614 may further be configured to send the information collectedduring the initialization process to server 2606.

FIGS. 30A and 30B show an initialization process 3000 according to anembodiment. In step 3010 a cartridge 2700 is received in an input unit(e.g., input unit 320) of a POU bioreactor 2604. When cartridge 2700 isreceived, control unit 2614 may record a time stamp of when thecartridge 2700 was received in step 3012. In some embodiments, the inputunit of POU bioreactor 2604 may also include a sterilization chamber forsterilizing cartridge 2700 received in the input unit. The sterilizationchamber may sterilize cartridge 2700 using any suitable sterilizationprocess, including, but not limited to, UV irradiation methods, ozone(O₃) sterilizing/disinfecting methods, and the like.

After the time stamp is recorded in step 3012, cartridge sensor(s) 2722associated with cartridge 2700 are read by control unit 2614 in step3014. Control unit 2614 may include a reader 2618 configured to readcartridge sensor(s) 2722. Reader 2618 may be, but is not limited to, anoptical sensor (e.g., for reading a color indicator on a cartridgesensor 2722), an RFID sensor (e.g., for reading information from a RFIDchip of a cartridge sensor 2722), an electrical sensor (e.g., forcontacting and reading electrical information stored on a cartridgesensor 2722), etc. In step 3016 control unit 2614 determines whether ornot the information obtained from cartridge sensor(s) 2722 indicates aproblem with cartridge 2700 (i.e., whether or not the informationobtained from cartridge sensors passes). For example, if a temperaturecartridge sensor 2722 indicates that a cartridge 2700 has been subjectedto excessive heat, control unit 2614 may determine that cartridge 2700is problematic. If one or more cartridge sensors 2722 show a problemwith cartridge 2700, control unit 2614 may discard (or reject) cartridge2700 in step 3018 and alert server 2606 of the problem with cartridge2700 in step 3020. If cartridge 2700 is discarded or rejected in step3018, control unit 2614 may terminate the initialization process andwait for a new cartridge 2700 to be inserted into the input unit of POUbioreactor 2604.

If control unit 2614 determines that the information obtained fromcartridge sensor(s) 2722 in step 3016 passes, then control unit 2614 maybe configured to read and collect cartridge identification informationfrom identification label(s) 2720 associated with cartridge 2700 usingscanner 2616 in step 3022. In embodiments, where identification label(s)2720 are not located on cartridge 2700, control unit 2614 may signal auser (e.g., via display 376) to scan the identification label(s) 2720using scanner 2616. Additionally, a user may input cartridgeidentification information using user interface 377. After reading andcollecting cartridge identification information from identificationlabel(s) 2720, control unit 2614 may be configured to store theinformation (e.g., in memory 378) and/or send the at least some of thecartridge identification information to server 2606 in step 3024.Control unit 2614 may also send the time stamp of when cartridge 2700was received in the input unit to server 2606 in step 3024. Oncereceived by server 2606, server 2606 may be configured store theinformation (e.g., in memory 388) and/or process the information (e.g.,using processor 386).

After sending the information in step 3024, control unit 2614 may waitfor server 2606 to respond with a message indicating that it is safe toproceed with the initialization process or with an alert that is it notsafe to proceed. If an alert is received, control unit 2614 may discard(or reject) cartridge 2700 in step 3028 and alert server 2606 thatcartridge 2700 was discarded in step 3030. If cartridge 2700 isdiscarded or rejected in step 3028, control unit 2614 may terminate theinitialization process and wait for a new cartridge 2700 to be insertedinto the input unit of POU bioreactor 2604. If a message indicating thatis safe to proceed is received in step 3026, initialization process mayproceed to step 3032. In some embodiments, control unit 2614 itself maymake the determination of whether or not to discard cartridge 2700 instep 3026, but regardless, control unit 2614 may send the cartridgeidentification information and time stamp to server 2606 in step 3024and the discard alert to server in step 3030.

Steps 3016 and 3026 will reject problematic cartridges 2700 (e.g.,cartridges that may be contaminated or that may not have viable aquaticplant cultures based on information received from identificationlabel(s) 2720 and cartridge sensor(s) 2722). These steps may serve toprotect a POU bioreactor 2604 from handling potentially contaminated ornon-viable aquatic plant cultures, which may result in the need forextensive cleaning and sterilization before POU bioreactor 2604 can beput back into use. In other words, steps 3016 and 3026 act as an initialscreening process for cartridges 2700 and ensure that only cartridges2700 containing safe and healthy aquatic plant cultures are opened andextracted in the input units of POU bioreactors 2604.

In step 3032, extractor 322 may access one or more capsules 2702 ofcartridge 2700 and control unit 2614 may image an aquatic plant culture2710 contained in one or more of capsules 2702. In response to receivingan image, control unit 2614 may be configured to identify at least oneparameter of a plurality of parameters related to a characteristic ofthe aquatic plants by employing at least one image processing techniqueon each image received. And, in turn, control unit 2614 may determineone or more characteristics of aquatic plant culture 2710. The pluralityof characteristics may include, but are not limited to, morphologicalfeatures (i.e. shape, size), color features (one or more aquatic plants'pigments), a texture of the aquatic plants, a transparency level of theaquatic plants, etc. In some embodiments, control unit 2614 may identifythe characteristics and use the image processing techniques discussedherein. In some embodiments, control unit 2614 may send the collectedimage to server 2606 and server 2606 may be configured to identify atleast one parameter and determine one or more characteristics of aquaticplant culture 2710 by employing at least one image processing techniqueon each image received.

In step 3034, control unit 2614 (or server 2606) determines whether ornot aquatic plant culture 2710 is viable (i.e., healthy and notcontaminated). If aquatic plant culture 2710 is not viable, control unit2614 may discard cartridge 2700 in step 3036 and send a discard alert toserver 2606 in step 3038 telling server 2606 that cartridge 2700 hasbeen discarded. If cartridge 2700 is discarded in step 3038, controlunit 2614 may terminate the initialization process and wait for a newcartridge 2700 to be inserted into the input unit of POU bioreactor2604.

If aquatic plant culture 2710 is deemed viable in step 3034, aquaticplant culture 2710 may be transferred to an incubation-growing chamber(e.g., incubation-growing chamber 321) of POU bioreactor 2604 in step3040. Control unit 2614 may be configured to operate extractor 322 totransfer aquatic plant culture 2710 from capsule 2702 toincubation-growing chamber 321. Once aquatic plant culture 2710 isreceived in incubation-growing chamber 321, aquatic plant culture 2710may mature under the supervision of control unit 2614. While aquaticplant culture 2710 is in incubation-growing chamber 321, control unit2614 may be configured to fertilize aquatic plant culture 2710 withfertilizer(s) or fertilizer stock solution(s) 2716 contained in capsules2702 of cartridge 2700. Control unit 2614 may be configured to use thecartridge identification information read from identification label(s)2720 to determine the amount and/or type of fertilizer to use. Controlunit 2614 may also be configured to operate extractor 322 to retrievethe correct type and/or amount of fertilizer(s) or fertilizer stocksolution(s) 2716 from capsules 2702. In some embodiments, control unit2614 may be configured to retrieve the correct type and/or amount offertilizer stock solution(s) 2716 from fertilizer stock solutioncontainers associated with POU bioreactor 2604 and may be configured toprepare a fertilizer medium using fertilizer stock solution(s) 2716.

After a predetermined amount of time (e.g., ˜24 hours), control unit2614 may image aquatic plant culture 2710 in incubation-growing chamber321 and identify at least one parameter of a plurality of parametersrelated to a characteristic of the aquatic plants by employing at leastone image processing technique on each image received. And, in turn,control unit 2614 may determine one or more characteristics of aquaticplant culture 2710. In some embodiments, control unit 2614 may send thecollected image to server 2606 and server 2606 may be configured toidentify at least one parameter and determine one or morecharacteristics of the aquatic plant culture 2710 by employing at leastone image processing technique on each image received.

In step 3046, control unit 2614 (or server 2606) determines whether ornot aquatic plant culture 2710 is viable (i.e., healthy and notcontaminated). If aquatic plant culture 2710 is not viable, control unit2614 may attempt to revive aquatic plant culture 2710 by altering thegrowing conditions and allowing aquatic plant culture 2710 to continuegrowing in incubation-growing chamber 321. If aquatic plant culture 2710is not viable, either before or after the growing conditions arealtered, control unit 2614 may discard cartridge 2700 in step 3048 andsend a discard alert to server 2606 in step 3050 telling server 2606that cartridge 2700 has been discarded. If cartridge 2700 is discardedin step 3048, control unit 2614 may terminate the initialization processand wait for a new cartridge 2700 to be inserted into the input unit ofPOU bioreactor 2604.

If aquatic plant culture 2710 is deemed viable in step 3046, aquaticplant culture 2710 may be transferred to a growing unit (e.g., growingunit 330) of POU bioreactor 2604 under the control of control unit 2614in step 3052. Control unit 2614 may also be configured to send aconfirmation alert to server 2606 in step 3054 telling server 2606 theaquatic plant culture 2710 has been successfully received, incubated,and passed onto growing unit 330.

Once in growing unit 330, aquatic plant culture 2710 may continue togrow and will be eventually harvested (e.g., by harvesting unit 340)under control of control unit 2614. Control unit 2614 may be configuredto fertilize aquatic plant culture 2710 with fertilizer stocksolution(s) 2716 contained in capsules 2702 of cartridge 2700 afteraquatic plant culture 2710 is transferred to growing unit 330. Andcontrol unit 2614 may be configured to use the cartridge identificationinformation read from identification label(s) 2720 to determine theamount and/or type of fertilizer to use. If other aquatic plant culturesare already present in growing unit 330, aquatic plant culture 2710 willserve to replenish the supply of aquatic plants within growing unit 330,and thus provide a constant supply of viable aquatic plants forharvesting at POU bioreactor 2604. In other words, aquatic plant culture2710 begins growing alongside the already present aquatic plant cultureand becomes a part of the same culture. In some embodiments, the aquaticplants in a POU bioreactor 2604 are harvested at times corresponding tothe times they were introduced into the POU bioreactor 2604. In otherwords, POU bioreactors 2604 may be configured to always harvest theoldest aquatic plants (i.e., a first-in-first-out harvesting).

Control unit 2614 may also be configured to monitor the growth of anaquatic plant culture within growing unit 330 after the initializationprocess. For example, control unit 2614 may continue to send one or moreimages to server 2606 or determine one more characteristics and/orstates of the aquatic plant culture and send that information to server2606. In some embodiments, control unit 2614 may be configured toconstantly (e.g., once a day or once a week) send information related tothe growth within growing unit 330 to server 2606. In some embodiments,control unit 2614 may be configured to continuously send thisinformation in real-time to server 2606.

After receiving information from POU bioreactors 2604, server 2606 may,in turn, be configured to use the information to adjust the distributionof cartridges 2700 in distribution system 2600. For example, if it isdetermined that an aquatic plant culture in a specific POU bioreactor2604 is growing slowly, server 2606 may be configured to routeadditional cartridges 2700 to that POU bioreactor 2604 in order toreplenish the supply of aquatic plants in that POU bioreactor 2604. Asanother example, if is determined that aquatic plant cultures areconstantly dying within a specific POU bioreactor 2604, server 2606 mayindicate that maintenance is required for that POU bioreactor 2604 andmay stop sending cartridges 2700 to that POU bioreactor 2604.

Server 2606 may be configured to track the distribution of cartridges2700 by processing the information collected from POU bioreactors 2604(e.g., cartridge identification information, time stamps, discardalters, etc.). Server 2606 may also be configured to store and processthe information collected from source bioreactors 2602 (e.g., harvestschedules, species being grown, etc.), along with the informationcollected from POU bioreactors 2604. Additionally, server 2606 may beconfigured to perform one or more actions based on the informationcollected from source bioreactors 2602 and/or POU bioreactors 2604.These actions may adjust one or more events within distribution system2600.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 26, distribution system 2600 mayinclude a central processing unit 2620 having a control unit 2622.Central processing unit 2620 may include a display 2624 and a userinterface 2626. Display 2624 and user interface 2626 may be the same orsimilar to display 376 and user interface 377. In some embodiments,central processing unit 2620 may not be a standalone unit, but rathermay be a component of one of the source bioreactors 2602 in distributionsystem 2600. In other words, one of the source bioreactors 2602 may be asupervisory bioreactor including central processing unit 2620. Centralprocessing unit 2620 may allow a user to communication with server 2606.For example, central processing unit 2620 may allow a user to sendcommands to server 2606 and review messages sent from server 2606.Additionally, central processing unit 2620 may allow a user to reviewall the information collected by server 2606 from source bioreactors2602 and POU bioreactors 2604.

Server 2606 may be configured to perform one or more of the followingactions based on information collected from source bioreactors 2602and/or POU bioreactors 2604: (i) request a new cartridge shipment for aPOU bioreactor 2604; (ii) adjust a shipment date for a subsequentcartridge shipment from a source bioreactor 2602; (iii) adjust theaquatic plant culture 2710 (e.g., the species of the aquatic plantculture, the life stage of the aquatic plant culture, or the amount ofaquatic plant culture) in a cartridge 2700 for a subsequent cartridgeshipment; (iv) customize the contents of a cartridge 2700 to be sent toa specific location or specific POU bioreactor 2604; (v) send a statusreport for a POU bioreactor 2604 to central processing unit 2620; (vi)adjust the growth conditions in source bioreactor 2602; (vii) adjust apreservation medium 2712 for a subsequent cartridge shipment; (viii)adjust one or more fertilizer stock solution(s) 2716 (including organiccertified solutions) for a subsequent cartridge shipment; and (ix)adjust the harvesting schedule in a source bioreactor 2602; (x) adjustone or more other substances, including, but not limited to, cleaningagents and additives for a subsequent cartridge shipment. Server 2606may perform one or more these actions automatically or server 2606 maysend recommendations to a user (e.g., via central processing unit 2620)for subsequent action by the user.

In some embodiments, server 2606 may confirm with a user of a POUbioreactor 2604 that a new cartridge should be shipped (e.g., viadisplay 376 and user interface 377). In some embodiments, users maysubscribe to the automatic shipment of new cartridges for a specificamount of time (e.g., a year). An adjustment of a shipment date may bebased on various factors. For example, if a POU bioreactor 2604 sends adiscard alter to server 2606, server 2606 may be configured to expeditethe shipment of a new cartridge to that POU bioreactor 2604. As anotherexample, if the consumption of aquatic plants at a specific POUbioreactor 2604 increases (i.e., the POU bioreactor 2604 is dispensinglarger amounts of aquatic plants), server 2606 may be configured toincrease the frequency of shipping cartridges to that POU bioreactor2604 to meet the increased demand.

In some embodiments, server 2606 may adjust the species of the aquaticplant culture, the life stage of the aquatic plant culture, or theamount of aquatic plant culture in a subsequent cartridge shipment basedon information related to the characteristics of aquatic plant culturesgrowing in specific POU bioreactors 2604. For example, if it isdetermined that aquatic plant cultures in a specific POU bioreactor 2604are growing slowly or are stressed, server 2606 may be configured toalter the predetermined life stage of the aquatic plant cultures sent tothat POU bioreactor 2604. In some embodiments, adjusting the harvestingschedule in a source bioreactor 2602 changes the life stage at whichaquatic plant cultures are harvested and packaged into another cartridge(e.g., from spring life stage to winter life stage). In someembodiments, adjusting the harvesting schedule in a source bioreactor2602 changes the time within a life stage at which aquatic plantcultures are harvested and packaged into another cartridge (e.g., fromtwo weeks into spring life stage to one week into spring life stage).Changing the life stage and/or time of harvesting and packaging may helpalleviate any stress imparted on the aquatic plant cultures duringdistribution to specific locations.

In some embodiments, adjusting the harvesting schedule in a sourcebioreactor 2602 accelerates the life cycle for an aquatic plant culturein the source bioreactor 2602 such that the aquatic plant culture isready for harvesting at an earlier date. For example, if server 2606determines that there will be a shortage of aquatic plant cultures inspring life stage in the near future, server 2606 may be configured toaccelerate the winter life stage of an aquatic plant culture in aspecific source bioreactor 102 such the spring life stage occurs earlierin time.

The species of aquatic plant culture harvested and packaged may also beadjusted for various reasons. For example, a specific species maysurvive better in winter life stage during long distance distribution,or a user may request a different type of species for his or her POUbioreactor 2604. Also, the species of aquatic plant culture harvestedand packaged may also be adjusted in order to maintain a biodiversitylong-term cultivation mode in a source bioreactor 2602 or POU bioreactor2604. The species of the aquatic plant culture, the life stage of theaquatic plant culture, the amount of aquatic plant culture, andperseveration mediums and/or fertilizer types may be customized forspecific POU bioreactors 2604 based on the information received fromthose POU bioreactors 2604.

In some embodiments, server 2606 may be configured to instruct POUbioreactors 2604 to adjust their growing conditions based on informationreceived from the POU bioreactors 2604. But, in some embodiments, POUbioreactors 2604 may adjust their own growing conditions based on theinformation they collect and process (or the processed information theyreceive from server 2606, such as characteristic determinations). Insome embodiments, server 2606 may adjust other substances required to betransported into a POU bioreactor 2604 including, but not limited to,cleaning agents and solution additives.

As discussed above, systems 300, 600, and 650 include a bioreactorhaving one or more growing units 330 adapted to grow one or more aquaticplants, one or more harvesting units 340 adapted to harvest one or moreaquatic plants, and one or more processing units 350 adapted to modifyand/or customize one or more aquatic plants harvested from the one ormore harvesting units 340. Each growing unit 330 may include one or moregrowing apparatuses, such as growing apparatus 3200 (see, for example,FIGS. 32 and 33A). System 300 may also include an input unit 320 adaptedto receive an aquatic organism used as a starter material, fertilizers,water, and/or air, and one or more output units 360 adapted to supplythe aquatic plant and/or a culture conditioned medium to a user. Theoutput may be provided as a foodstuff, a medicinal substance, a cosmeticsubstance, a chemical substance, or other useful products.

In some embodiments, a bioreactor system, and specifically one or moregrowing apparatus and related methods, are designed for growing aquaticplants in a controlled and compact environment. FIG. 31 shows aschematic of a growing apparatus according to an embodiment. Growingapparatus 3100 may include one or more modules 3120. The one or moremodules 3120 may function similar to a horizontal raceway. For example,growing apparatus 3100 may include a bottom module 3120-1 and one ormore stacked modules 3120 vertically placed over bottom module 3120(i.e. modules 3120-2 through 3120-n). Growing apparatus 3100 may includea vertical raceway 3110 for circulating aquatic plants (AP) and liquidgrowth medium (LGM) between the one or more modules 3120. In someembodiments, vertical raceway 3110 may be formed as a continuous loopinterconnecting each module 3120 within growing apparatus 3100. In someembodiments, vertical raceway 3110 may include a plurality ofsub-channels 3116 connecting adjacent modules 3120. For example, asshown in FIG. 31, sub-channels 3116 may be connected to an inlet 3112and an outlet 3114 on each module 3120, inlet 3112 configured to supplyAP and/or LGM to a module 3120 and outlet 3114 configured to remove APand/or LGM from a module 3120.

In some embodiments, AP and LGM may flow into a module 3120 via inlet3112, circulate within the module, and flow out of the module via outlet3114. In some embodiments, each module 3120 may include at least onebaffle 3118 for directing the flow of AP and/or LGM within the module.While FIG. 31 shows a single straight baffle 3118, each module 3120 mayinclude any number of baffles having any shape and oriented in anyfashion. Baffle configurations include, but are not limited to, thebaffle configurations described in reference to FIGS. 35A-35D.

Vertical raceway 3110 may facilitate the flow of AP and/or LGM into andout of each module 3120 located within growing apparatus 3100. In someembodiments, AP and/or LGM may continuously flow between modules 3120via vertical raceway 3110, inlets 3112, and outlets 3114. In someembodiments inlets 3112 and/or outlets 3114 may include one or morevalves for controlling the flow of AP and/or LGM between adjacentmodules. Valves located at or near inlets 3112 and/or outlets 3114 mayinclude static valves, mechanical valves, and/or electronically actuatedvalves, including, but not limited to the valve configurations discussedherein. In some embodiments, AP and/or LGM may flow between modules 3120via gravity and AP and/or LGM may be recirculated from bottom module3120-1 to top module 3120-n using a pump 3119.

FIG. 32 shows a growing apparatus 3200 according to an embodiment.Growing apparatus 3200 may include a bottom module 3220-1 and one ormore modules 3220 placed over bottom module 3220-1 in a verticallystacked configuration. Modules 3220 may be connected to each other by afirst vertical raceway 3290. Each module 3220 may be configured to holda volume of aquatic plants placed in a liquid growth medium, the liquidgrowth medium being designed to provide growth conditions for theaquatic plants. The liquid growth medium may be composed of, forexample, but not limited to, water, essential salts and fertilizers,nutrition enrichment compounds, growth stimulating compounds (e.g.,dissolved organic carbon), and anti-microbial agents (e.g., antibioticand fungicides). In some embodiments, control unit 370 may be configuredto control, for example, light, CO₂ levels, PH levels, temperature, etc.within growing apparatus 3200 in order to create an eco-system mimickingnatural growth conditions for optimal growth of the aquatic plants.Furthermore, the connection between modules 3220 via first verticalraceway 3290 may enable a homogeneous flow of the liquid growth mediumand/or the aquatic plants between the stacked modules 3220. Afterharvesting the aquatic plants, the liquid growth medium may be recycledfor future use.

Control unit 370 may be connected to one or more components thatcomprise growing apparatus 3200 and may be configured to control theoperation of growing apparatus 3200. While a single control unit isshown in FIG. 32, it is appreciated that the control unit may be modularin fashion. In other words, growing apparatus 3200 may have asub-control unit (not shown), which is controlled by a supervisorycontrol unit, such as control unit 370.

Growing apparatus 3200 may include a stack of modules 3220-1 through3220-n (n being an integer having a value of 2 or greater) having abottom module 3220-1 and one or more modules 3220-2 through 3220-nvertically placed over bottom module 3220-1. Growing apparatus 3200 maybe designed and configured to mimic natural conditions for the aquaticplants to facilitate optimal growth of the aquatic plants within growingapparatus 3200. For example, growing apparatus 3200 may contain an air(CO₂) flow source (i.e., air supply) 3230 that may provide each module3220 with air (CO₂) flow. Moreover, each module 3220 may include a lightsource 3322-1 through 3222-n, an inlet 3231-1 through 3231-n to receivethe air (CO₂) flow, and an outlet 3232-1 through 3232-n to releaseexcess air pressure. Light sources 3222 may include, but are not limitedto, LED light sources. It should be understood that the entry of air(CO₂) into growing apparatus 3200, the release of the excess pressure,and the lighting level may be controlled by control unit 370.

Growing apparatus 3200 may also include a separation unit 3240 forperiodically or continuously separating harvested aquatic plants fromthe liquid growth medium in which the aquatic plants were cultured. Insome embodiments, separation unit 3240 may include a mechanical filterto separate the aquatic plants from the liquid growth medium. Themechanical filter may be, but is not limited to, a filter having apermeable membrane that blocks the transfer of particles at the size ofaquatic plants or larger while allowing the growth medium and particleshaving a particle size smaller than the aquatic plants to pass.Separation unit 3240 may further or alternatively contain an additionalmechanical filter and/or chemical filter for the purpose of removing anytype of unwanted element other than the aquatic plants. For example, thefilter(s) within separation unit 3240 may be capable of removing debris,contamination, and/or non-viable aquatic plants from the liquid growthmedium. Separation unit 3240 may also include a pump for controlling theflow of liquid growth medium and aquatic plants into and out ofseparation unit 3240.

According to some embodiments, after the aquatic plants are separatedfrom the liquid growth medium, the liquid growth medium may betransferred to a modification unit 3250 for recycling. Modification unit3250 may include a system for sterilizing and/or disinfecting the liquidgrowth medium. Modification unit 3250 may sterilize and/or disinfect theliquid growth medium using at least one of a variety of methods,including but not limited to, UV irradiation methods, ozone (O₃)sterilizing/disinfecting methods, and the like. Modification unit 3250may further or alternatively contain a chemical filter for the purposeremoving any type of unwanted element. Moreover, modification unit 3250may be configured to dissolve one or more essential elements, e.g.,fertilizers into the liquid growth medium. Essential fertilizers may be,but are not limited to, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur,calcium, magnesium, zinc, compounds containing at least one of theseelements, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, modification unit 3250may be configured to perform aeration, PH and/or temperature adjustment,and the like. Moreover, modification unit 3250 may direct the liquidgrowth medium to a first drain outlet channel 3299 a for disposal. Insome embodiments, each growing apparatus 3200 within bioreactor 310includes a separation unit 3240 and a modification unit 3250. In someembodiments, a plurality of growing apparatuses 3200 within bioreactor310 may share one or more separation units 3240 and/or modificationunits 3250. Modification unit 3250 may also include a pump forcontrolling the flow of liquid growth medium and aquatic plants into andout of modification unit 3250.

In some embodiments, growing apparatus 3200 may include a storage unit3260, which may be, for example and without limitation, a canisterappropriate for the storage of the liquid growth medium. A pumping unit3270 may be used to pump the liquid growth medium from storage unit 3260to top module 3220-n in the stack of modules 3220 via a vertical channel3297. Pumping may be performed in a controlled manner either manually orautomatically under the control of control unit 370. In someembodiments, each growing apparatus 3200 within bioreactor 310 includesa storage unit 3260 and a pumping unit 3270. In some embodiments, aplurality of growing apparatuses 3200 within bioreactor 310 may shareone or more storage units 3260 and/or pumping units 3270.

As shown in FIG. 32, first vertical raceway 3290, which is aninterconnected vertical channel beginning at the bottom module 3220-1,vertically connects all the modules 3220 placed over bottom module3220-1. First vertical raceway 3290 may include a plurality ofsub-channels 3291, each of which connect one module 3220 to the moduledirectly below it. In some embodiments, as shown for example in FIG. 32,sub-channels 3291 are aligned in a vertical formation. In someembodiments, as shown for example in FIGS. 31 and 33A, sub-channels 3291may not aligned in a vertical formation such that a first sub-channel3291 is horizontally off-set from an adjacent second sub-channel 3291.First vertical raceway 3290 may be configured to enable flow of at leastone portion of the aquatic plants and/or the liquid growth medium from ahigher module 3220 in the stack of modules to the lower modules 3220 inthe stack of modules. In some embodiments, one or more valves 3224control the flow of liquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants frommodules 3220 into sub-channels 3291. In some embodiments, the flow ratewithin sub-channels 3291 may be controlled via flow rate valves 3295that may be operated manually or under control of control unit 370. Insome embodiments, valves 3224 are static valves. In some embodiments,valves 3224 are mechanical or electronic valves controlled by controlunit 370. In some embodiments, valves 3224 are manually controlled. Insome embodiments, first vertical raceway 3290 may be connected toseparation unit 3240 via a channel, such as channel 3294. As such, firstvertical raceway 3290 may be further configured to enable flow of atleast one portion of aquatic plants to separation unit 3240.

In some embodiments, first vertical raceway 3290 may be connected to aseparation unit 3252 and/or modification unit 3255. Separation unit 3252and modification unit 3255 may perform the function of separation unit3240 and modification unit 3250, respectively, as described above. Insome embodiments, as shown in FIG. 32, pumping unit 3270 is positionedbetween separation unit 3252 and modification unit 3255. In someembodiments, modification unit 3255 may dispose the liquid growth mediumby directing it to a second drain outlet channel 3299 b. This may beperformed either manually or automatically by control unit 370. Byproviding vertical movement of liquid growth medium, first verticalraceway 3290 allows growing apparatus 3200 to have a compact design thatprovides many of the advantages discussed herein.

The vertical configuration of modules within a growing apparatusexploits the benefits of using horizontal raceway cultivation whileincreasing the amount of aquatic plants that can be grown per unit floorarea. In some embodiments, this may dramatically increase the yield perunit floor area. For example, a stack of 100 modules (L=180 cm, W=60 cm,and H=180 cm) can produce an annual yield of 8,760 kg/m² floor area,compared to a maximum of 50 kg/m² floor area achieved by current stateof the art methods. Furthermore, the compact design of the systemincreases light utilization efficiency. The design of embodimentsdiscussed herein is capable of achieving over 90% LED light to planttransfer for photosynthetic utilization while also emitting onlyphotosynthetic active wavelengths to save energy. In some embodiments,light sources 3222 only emit light with wavelengths in the range ofapproximately 620 nm to approximately 700 nm and approximately 400 nm toapproximately 515 nm.

In some embodiments growing apparatus 3200 also includes one or moretransition zones 3280-1 through 3280-p in connection with at least onemodule 3220. Transition zones 3280 may be used in the harvesting processto capture a portion of the aquatic plants, the details of which areexplained below. The portion of the aquatic plants may be transferredfrom transition zone 3280 to separation unit 3240 through a secondvertical raceway 3292. Second vertical raceway 3292 may include aplurality of sub-channels 3293, each of which connect one module 3220 tothe module directly below it. In some embodiments, as shown for examplein FIG. 32, sub-channels 3293 are aligned in a vertical formation. Insome embodiments, sub-channels 3293 may not aligned in a verticalformation such that a first sub-channel 3293 is horizontally off-setfrom an adjacent second sub-channel 3293. Second vertical raceway 3292may be a vertical channel beginning at bottom transition zone 3280-1 andvertically connecting each transition zone 3280 that is verticallyplaced over bottom transition zone 3280-1. Second vertical raceway 3292may also be connected to separation unit 3240 via channel 3294.

In some embodiments, second vertical raceway 3292 is designed to enablethe flow of the liquid growth medium together with a portion of aquaticplants from each transition zone (e.g., top transition zone 3280-p) toseparation unit 3240. Each transition zone 3280 may include a valve3282, i.e. valves 3282-1 through 3282-p (see FIG. 33A). In someembodiments, each valve 3282 is a static valve that allows apredetermined volume of the liquid growth medium and/or a predeterminedvolume of the aquatic plants to flow through it depending on the levelof liquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants in an individual module3220. In some embodiments, each transition zone 3280 includes more thanone valve 3282. In some embodiments, valves 3282 are mechanical valvesor electronic valves controlled by control unit 370. In someembodiments, valves 3282 may be manually controlled.

As shown in FIG. 32, growing apparatus 3200 may be connected toharvesting unit 340 via a harvesting valve 3275. Pumping unit 3245 maypump harvested aquatic plants and/or liquid growth medium to harvestingunit 340 via harvesting valve 3275. Harvesting valve 3275 may direct atleast a portion of aquatic plants and/or liquid growth medium toharvesting unit 340 during a harvesting operation after being passedthrough separation unit 3240 and/or a biomass quantification unit 5200.Additionally, pumping unit 3245 and harvesting valve 3275 may allow atleast a portion of aquatic plants and/or liquid growth medium to bereturned to a module (e.g., top module 3220-n) after being passedthrough separation unit 3240 and/or biomass quantification unit 5200.

Harvesting unit 340 may be configured to collect the aquatic plants fromthe separation unit 3240 and store them for further use. In someembodiments, the aquatic plants stored in harvesting unit 340 may bemodified, analyzed and/or used by one or more external entities. In someembodiments, harvesting unit 340 may store the aquatic plants untilcontrol unit 370 sends them to output unit 360. In some embodiments,harvesting unit 340 may store the aquatic plants until control unit 370sends them to processing unit 350. In some embodiments, the aquaticplants bypass harvesting unit 340 and proceed directly to processingunit 350 and/or output unit 360. In some embodiments, additional liquidgrowth medium may be loaded into growing apparatus 3200 from a liquidgrowth medium source 3265. Liquid growth medium source 3265 may bedesigned to transfer additional liquid growth medium to maintain thelevel of the liquid growth medium within growing apparatus 3200 and/oreach module 3220 at a predetermined level. This may be performed eithermanually or automatically under the control of control unit 370.

In some embodiments, growing apparatus may include biomassquantification unit 5200. Harvested aquatic plants may be transported tobiomass quantification unit 5200 by pumping unit 3245. The details ofbiomass quantification unit are described in detail below with referenceto FIGS. 52A-52C. In some embodiments, each growing apparatus 3200within bioreactor 310 may include a biomass quantification unit 5200 anda pumping unit 3245. In some embodiments, a plurality of growingapparatuses 3200 within bioreactor 310 may share one or more biomassquantification units 5200 and/or pumping units 3245.

Each module 3220 in the stack of modules 3220 is configured to contain avolume of aquatic plants. Moreover, each module 3220 in the stack ofmodules 3220 is configured to contain a volume of liquid growth medium,which is designed to provide optimum growth conditions for the aquaticplants. Such growth conditions may be, but are not limited to, water,essential salts, fertilizer, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and so on. Theessential salts may be, without limitation, nitrogen, potassium,calcium, magnesium, and iron. Moreover, each module 3220 may beconfigured to function as a horizontal raceway, thereby enabling thecirculation of the liquid growth medium, with or without the circulationof aquatic plants, within each module 3220. The circulation of theliquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants is used for culturing aquaticplants in each module 3220.

According to one embodiment, each module 3220 in the stack of modules3220 comprises a single valve 3224-1 through 3224-n. In someembodiments, each module 3220 may contain more than one valve 3224. Insome embodiments, each valve 3224 is a static valve 3223 that allows apredetermined volume of the liquid growth medium and/or a predeterminedvolume of the aquatic plants to flow through it depending on the levelof liquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants in an individual module3220. The flow of liquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants may becontrolled by control unit 370. Additionally, the level of the liquidgrowth medium and/or the level of the aquatic plants in each module 3220may be determined by control unit 370 using one or more sensors 372and/or 374. In some embodiments, control unit 370 is configured tocontrol the flow rate of liquid growth medium flowing into top module3220-n, thereby controlling: (1) the level of liquid growth medium intop module 3220-n, (2) the flow of liquid growth medium and/or aquaticplants between modules (in some embodiments, flow rate valves 3295 insub-channels 3291 may also be used to control the flow of liquid mediumbetween modules), and (3) the harvesting of aquatic plants. Bycontrolling the level of liquid growth medium in top module 3220-n,control unit 370 may control the level of liquid growth medium in eachmodule 3220 via the flow of liquid growth medium from top module 3220-nto bottom module 3220-1. Moreover, by controlling the flow rate insub-channels 3291 via flow rate valves 3295, control unit 370 mayfurther control the flow of liquid growth medium from top module 3220-nto bottom module 3220-1. The flow of liquid growth medium and/or aquaticplants between modules 3220 may be facilitated by valves 3224 and firstvertical raceway 3290. The flow of liquid growth medium and theharvesting of aquatic plants may be facilitated by transition zones3280, including valves 3282, and second vertical raceway 3292.

In some embodiments, both valves 3224 and 3282 are static valves, 3223and 3283, respectively, having a configuration that allows apredetermined volume of liquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants toflow depending on the volume of liquid growth medium and aquatic plantslocated in a module 3220. In such embodiments, the predetermined volumeof liquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants is fixed due theconfiguration of the static valves, thus facilitating consistent andrepeatable transfer and/or harvesting of aquatic plants. Furthermore, insuch embodiments each transfer and/or harvesting process automaticallycleans the static valves because liquid growth medium that is forcedthrough the static valves automatically washes each component of thevalves. This increases the cleanliness of the system, reduces the needfor users to manually clean the system, reduces possible valve failure,and reduces the chance of aquatic plants becoming trapped within thevalves, which may cause contamination “hot spots.”

The use of static valves may also decrease the complexity of the systemand provide a simple and reliable way of controlling flow within growingapparatus 3200. Static valves reduce the number of moving parts and thusdecrease chances of failure and reduce maintenance costs. Furthermore,in some embodiments, the static valves allow the flow of liquid growthmedium and/or aquatic plants to be controlled from a single point. Forexample, by controlling the flow of liquid growth medium and/or aquaticplants in top module 3220-n, the volume of liquid growth medium and/oraquatic plants in each module 3220-n through 3220-1 can be controlledautomatically due to the flow of liquid growth medium and theconfiguration of static valves 3223 and 3283.

In some embodiments, control unit 370 may control the flow of liquidgrowth medium not just into top module 3220-n, but into multiple modules3220 within a stack of modules. For example, in a growing apparatushaving a large number of modules, for example 20 modules, control unit370 may control the flow of liquid growth medium into, for example, thefirst module (i.e. the top module), an intermediate module (e.g. the11^(th) module), and the last module (i.e. the bottom module). Controlunit 370 may be configured to control the flow of liquid growth mediuminto any module within a stack of modules.

In some embodiments, the configuration of static valves 3223 allows apredetermined volume of liquid growth medium to flow from an uppermodule to a lower module. Each static valve 3223 may be configured toallow liquid growth medium to flow from a module 3220, into firstvertical raceway 3290, and to the next module 3220 due to an increase inthe level of the liquid growth medium in a module 3220 (see “State B”for valve 3223 in FIG. 33B). For example, an increase in the liquidgrowth medium in one module 3220, e.g., top module 3220-n, may cause thestatic valve 3223 in that module to allow liquid growth medium to flowinto first vertical raceway 3290, via a sub-channel 3291, to the nextmodule 3220-(n−1). In some embodiments, the flow of the liquid growthmedium may be from top module 3220-n to bottom module 3220-1, fillingeach of the modules in between accordingly.

In some embodiments, the configuration of static valves 3223 also allowsa predetermined volume of aquatic plants to flow from an upper module3220-n to a lower module 3220-(n−1). For example, when thevolume/density of the aquatic plants increases (relative to the aquaticplants that were present before), at least a portion of the aquaticplants may be transferred to the next module 3220-(n−1) to reduce theaquatic plant density level in the previous module 3220-n. When thevolume or density of aquatic plants increases, control unit 370 mayflood top module 3220-n with liquid growth medium (see “State C” in FIG.33B). As a result, a portion of aquatic plants is transferred throughfirst vertical raceway 3290 from top module 3220-n to module 3220-(n−1)due to the configuration of the static valve 3223-n. Acceptable levelsof the liquid growth medium and/or the volume/density of the aquaticplants may be predetermined by the control unit 370. In someembodiments, the volume/density of the aquatic plants in each module3220 is monitored using image sensors 374 and/or sensors 372 incommunication with control unit 370.

In some embodiments, when a portion of aquatic plants reaches bottommodule 3220-1, that portion of aquatic plants is transferred, by a flowof the liquid growth medium, through first vertical raceway 3290 toseparation unit 3240. In separation unit 3240, the aquatic plants may gothrough a filtering process as described in greater detail above. Insome embodiments, as shown in FIG. 33A, bottom module 3220-1 does notinclude a sub-channel 3291 connected to channel 3294, and instead isconnected to a vertical line 3296. As an alternative to pumping unit3270, an air lift pump 3298 in communication with vertical line 3296 maybe configured to pump at least a portion of liquid growth medium and/oraquatic plants back to first module 3220-n. In some embodiments, growingapparatus 3200 includes both channel 3294 and vertical line 3296 andbottom module 3220-1 is connected to both.

In some embodiments, valves 3282 in transition zones 3280 are staticvalves 3283. In some embodiments, the configuration of static valves3283 in transition zones 3280 allows another predetermined volume ofaquatic plants to be harvested via second vertical raceway 3292. At thesame time static valves 3223 allow a portion of aquatic plants to betransferred from an upper module to a lower module, at least anotherportion of the aquatic plants may be harvested via static valves 3283(see “State C*” in FIG. 33B). The at least another portion of theaquatic plants captured in each transition zone 3280 may be transferredby the flow of liquid growth medium through second vertical raceway 3292to the separation unit 3240 via channel 3294. In separation unit 3240,the at least another portion of aquatic plants may go through afiltering process as described in greater detail above.

FIG. 33A shows a growing apparatus 3200 according to an embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 33A, growing apparatus 3200 may include a number ofmodules 3220-n through 3220-1 in a stacked configuration. Each module3220 may include a sub-channel 3291, that in combination, form firstvertical raceway 3290. Static valves 3223 connect each module 3220 toeach sub-channel 3291. Static valves 3223 may include a first baffle3225, a second baffle 3226, and a third baffle 3227. The size (e.g.,height) and location of first baffle 3225, second baffle 3226, and thirdbaffle 3227 determine how much liquid growth medium and/or aquaticplants flow from an upper module 3220-n to a lower module 3220-(n−1). Inother words, the heights and locations of first baffle 3225, secondbaffle 3226, and third baffle 3227 predetermine the volume of liquidgrowth medium and/or aquatic plants that flows from an upper module to alower module depending on the level of liquid growth medium and/oraquatic plants in each module 3220.

Each module 3220 may also include a transition zone 3280, eachtransition zone 3280 including at least one static valve 3283. As shownin FIG. 33A, each static valve 3283 may connect each module 3220 to asub-channel 3293 within second vertical raceway 3292. Each static valve3283 may include a fourth baffle 3284 and a fifth baffle 3286. Theheights and locations of fourth baffle 3284 and fifth baffle 3286predetermine the volume of aquatic plants that is harvested from eachmodule 3220 during a harvesting operation. The sizes and locations ofeach baffle shown in FIG. 33A are exemplary and may be modified toprovide the desired flow of liquid growth medium and/or aquatic plants.

In some embodiments, the height and location of baffles 3225, 3226,3227, 3284, and 3286 may be adjusted, either manually or under thecontrol of control unit 370, to control the amount of LGM and/or APexiting modules 3220.

The operation of static valves 3223 and 3283 according to one embodimentwill now be described in reference to FIG. 33B. It should be noted thathealthy (viable) aquatic plants (AP) will typically float on top ofliquid growth medium (LGM). State A and State A* show the levels of(LGM) and (AP) in a module 3220 when no LGM or AP is flowing betweenmodules 3220. In State A and A*, AP in each module may be allowed togrow and increase in volume/density. As shown in State A, third baffle3227 in static valve 3223 prevents LGM and AP from flowing intosub-channel 3291. Additionally, fifth baffle 3286 in static valve 3283prevents LGM and AP from flowing into second vertical raceway 3292, asshown in State A*. The height of third baffle 3227 may determine themaximum amount of LGM and AP a module 3220 can hold.

State B shows how static valves 3223 are configured to allow only LGM toflow from one module to another. In some embodiments, if control unit370 determines that fresh LGM is required or that any module 3220 in thestack of modules requires additional LGM, control unit 370 may causefresh or additional LGM to flow into top module 3220-n. This may occur,for example, because of a need to change the growth conditions of theliquid growth medium. In some embodiments, the additional liquid growthmedium is loaded from liquid growth medium source 3265 and/or storageunit 3260. As a result, the level of LGM in top module 3220-n increases,as shown State B. When this occurs, a portion of LGM is allowed to flowover third baffle 3227 into sub-channel 3291, but no AP is allowed toflow because of second baffle 3226. Because modules 3220 are stackedvertically, flow of LGM from top module 3220-n causes LGM to flow overthird baffle 3227 and into the module below top module 3220-n and so on.While static valve 3223 allows LGM to flow into sub-channel 3291, fifthbaffle 3286 in static valve 3283 still prevents LGM and AP from flowinginto second vertical raceway 3292 as shown in State B*. This allowsadditional LGM to be added to modules 3220 without transferring orharvesting any AP. A small flow of LGM over third baffle 3227 (see“State B”) may be considered the steady state operation of growingapparatus 3200.

In some embodiments, control unit 370 continuously causes a small amountof LGM to flow into top module 3220-n. As such, LGM is constantly andautomatically replenished in every module in the stack of modules. LGMmay flow continuously from one module to another through first verticalraceway 3290 then back to the top module via vertical line 3296 in aclosed loop. Similarly, LGM may flow continuously from one module toanother via second vertical raceway 3292 then back to the top module viachannel 3294, pumping unit 3245, and harvesting valve 3275.

If control unit 370 determines that a portion of AP needs to betransferred and/or harvested, control unit 370 may cause a larger amountof LGM to flow into top module 3220-n. As a result, the level of LGM intop module 3220-n rises to the level shown in State C and State C*. Whenthis occurs, a portion of AP is simultaneously transferred intosub-channel 3291 and vertical raceway 3292 via valve 3223-n and valve3283-n, respectively. As shown in State C, the level of LGM rises to alevel above second baffle 3226. This causes only the portion of APlocated between second baffle 3226 and first baffle 3225 to flow oversecond baffle 3226, into sub-channel 3291, and into the module3220-(n−1) located below top module 3220-n. First baffle 3225 preventsany other portion of AP from flowing over second baffle 3226 and intosub-channel 3291. At the same time, another portion of AP is transferredinto second vertical raceway 3292, as shown in State C*. When the levelof LGM rises above fifth baffle 3286 only the portion of AP locatedbetween fifth baffle 3286 and fourth baffle 3284 flows over fifth baffle3286, into second vertical raceway 3292, and towards separation unit3240. Fourth baffle 3284 prevents any other portion of AP from flowingover fifth baffle 3286 and into second vertical raceway.

Increasing the amount of LGM flowing into a module, for example topmodule 3220 n, such that the module enters state C and C*, results in alarger amount of LGM flowing into the subsequent lower module (3220 n−1)via sub-channels 3291 and 3293. This causes the total volume of LGM andAP in module 3220 n−1 to increase such that it enters state C and C*,which results in an increase of the LGM level in the module below (3220n−2) and so on in a sequential cascade to each of the modules 3220within a stack of modules.

In some embodiments, the maximum heights of second baffle 3226 and fifthbaffle 3286 are the same, as shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B. In someembodiments, the maximum heights of second baffle 3226 and fifth baffle3286 are different. The height and location of the baffles allows AP tobe transferred between modules and/or harvested separately into firstand second vertical raceways 3290 and 3292 depending on the level of LGMand/or AP in each module 3220. After AP is transfer and/or harvested,control unit 370 may reduce the flow of LGM into top module 3220-n andthe system may return to State A/State A* or State B/State B*.

FIG. 34 shows a cross-section of a module 3220 according to oneembodiment along the lines A-A′ in FIGS. 33A, 35A, 35B, 35C, and 35D. Asshown in FIG. 34, module 3220 may include a bottom wall 3234, side walls3236, and a top wall 3238 defining a channel 3235 that holds a volume ofliquid growth medium (LGM), a volume of aquatic plants (AP) and a volumeof air. In some embodiments, one or more of the side walls 3236 may be abaffle 3218. In some embodiments, module 3220 may be configured to hold,for example, about 0.5 to about 2 cm of LGM, about 2 mm to about 3 mm ofAP, and about 7 mm of air. In some embodiments, air is constantlyflowing over the AP and the LGM. The flow of air may be controlled bycontrol unit 370. A light source 3222 may be positioned above module3220, as shown in FIG. 34, or integrated within top wall 3238. Thewavelength and/or intensity of light emitted from light source 3222 maybe controlled by control unit 370. In some embodiments, each lightsource may be independently controlled by control unit 370 so as toadjust light intensity/wavelength in an individual module.

FIGS. 35A, 35B, 35C, and 35D show various exemplary configurations formodules 3220. FIG. 35A shows an exemplary module 3220 including achannel 3235 having a continuous elliptical shape. Module 3220, shown inFIG. 35A, may include a single straight baffle 3218 for creatingcontinuous channel 3235. FIG. 35B shows an exemplary module 3220including a channel 3235 having a U-shape. Module 3220, shown in FIG.35B, may include a single straight baffle 3218 for creating U-shapedchannel 3235. FIG. 35C shows an exemplary module 3220 including achannel 3235 having a continuous circular shape. Module 3220, shown inFIG. 35C, may include a circular baffle 3218 for creating a continuouscircular channel 3235. FIG. 35D shows an exemplary module 3220 includinga unique channel configuration. Module 3220 shown in FIG. 35D mayinclude two angled baffles 3218 for creating a desirable flow patternwithin module 3220. The flow pattern and the details of the module 3220shown in FIG. 35D according to some embodiments are described below inreference to FIGS. 38, 47A, 47B, 48A, and 48B.

While FIGS. 33A and 35A-35D show various exemplary shapes for modules3220, modules 3220 may include any shape and may have any number ofbaffles for creating a desired flow pattern(s) within a module 3220.Additionally, baffles 3218 may have any shape, size, or orientation forcreating a desired flow pattern(s) within a module 3220. In someembodiments, a module may not have a baffle. Moreover, while FIGS. 33Aand 35A-35D show modules 3220 having an inlet 3212 and an outlet 3214located on the same end of module 3220, inlet 3212 and outlet 3214 maybe located anywhere along channel 3235 so as to facilitate a desiredflow characteristic for module 3220.

FIG. 36 is an exemplary and non-limiting flowchart 3600 describing theoperation of growing aquatic plants in growing apparatus 3200 having astack of modules 3220 according to an embodiment. The operation startsin 3610 when control unit 370 causes a flow of a liquid growth mediuminto the top module 3220-n. When this occurs, liquid growth medium flowsfrom top module 3220-n to bottom module 3220-1 of the stack via firstvertical raceway 3290, filling each of the modules 3220 in between. Theclosed loop flow of the liquid growth medium through first verticalraceway 3290 may create a homogeneous growth platform in the stack ofmodules 3220. The level of liquid growth medium may be detected bysensors 372 (e.g., level sensors) in communication with control unit370. Starter material, which has been matured in incubation-growingchamber 321, may also be introduced into each module 3220 of growingapparatus 3200 in 3610.

The liquid growth medium is designed to provide optimal growthconditions for the aquatic plants (e.g., water, essential salts,fertilizers, etc.). According to one embodiment, the liquid growthmedium may be pumped by pumping unit 3270 from storage unit 3260 to thetop module 3220-n in the stack in a controlled manner, either manuallyor automatically under the control of the control unit 370.

In 3615, it is checked whether the volume of the liquid growth mediumhas reaches a predefined level, and if so the execution continues with3620.

In 3620, according to one embodiment, when the volume of the liquidgrowth medium reaches to a predefined level of, for example,approximately 1 centimeter in at least one module 3220, for example thetop module 3220-n, starter aquatic plants, which have been matured inincubation-growing chamber 321, may be transferred to the top module3220-n via pumping unit 3270 and vertical line 3296, and/or via channel3294, through pumping unit 3245, and harvesting valve 3275. In 3620,aquatic plants flow into each module 3220. Due to the follow of aquaticplants into top module 3220-n, at least one portion of the aquaticplants is transferred from top module 3220-n, through vertical raceways3290 and/or 3292, and to the modules 3220 under the top module 3220-n.In other words, aquatic plants are transferred in a controlled cascadingmanner, either manually or automatically under the control of thecontrol unit 370. This may occur due to the configuration of staticvalves 3223 (see State C in FIG. 33B) or may occur due to control unit370 electronically operating dynamic or electronic valves, such asvalves 3830 or 4230 described herein. In some embodiments, this mayoccur due to a user manually operating a valve. During 3620, the culture(aquatic plants) is allowed to grow in each module 3220 under thesupervision of control unit 370. In some embodiments, starter aquaticplants may be introduced into each module 3220 of growing apparatus 3200in 3620 either manually or automatically under the control of thecontrol unit 370.

In 3620, the amount/density of aquatic plants in different modules 3220may be adjusted manually and/or under the supervision of control unit370. The flow of aquatic plants may continue until the volume and liquidgrowth medium reaches a predefined volume and/or the aquatic plantsreach a predefined volume/density. In 3625, it is checked whether thevolume/density of the aquatic plants in modules 3220 has reached apredefined level, and if so execution continues with 3630.

Once it is determined that the aquatic plants have reached a predefinedvolume/density, growing apparatus 3200 may shift into steady state in3630. Steady state within growing apparatus 3200 may be defined as acontinuous flow of a relatively small amount of liquid growth mediumbetween modules 3220. This may occur due to the configuration of staticvalves 3223 (see State B in FIG. 33B), the configuration of dynamicvalves 3830 or 4230 described below in reference to FIGS. 38-43, or dueto control unit 370 electronically operating other types of mechanicalor electronic valves. Steady state may allow aquatic plants to matureand grow under the supervision of control unit 370. During steady stateoperation AP within one or more modules may be continuously orperiodically washed due to the flow of LGM between modules. The washingof AP is described below in more detail in reference to FIGS. 44 and 45.Growing apparatus may stay in steady state until it is determined that aharvest operation is required in 3635. The determination of when toharvest and how much to harvest may be controlled by control unit 370.

In 3640, at least another portion of the aquatic plants may be capturedin at least one transition zone 3280-p and harvested via second verticalraceway 3292. This may occur due to the configuration of static valves3283 (see State C* in FIG. 33B), the configuration of dynamic valves3830 or 4230 described below in reference to FIGS. 38-43, or due tocontrol unit 370 electronically operating other types of mechanical orelectronic valves.

In the case of static valves, control unit 370 may be configured tomonitor the volume/density of aquatic plants in each module using, forexample, image sensors 374. In some embodiments, control unit 370 isconfigured to follow a protocol for maintaining an acceptablevolume/density of aquatic plants in each module. In such embodiments,control unit 370 may be configured to transfer and/or harvest apredetermined amount of aquatic plants when the volume/density ofaquatic plants exceeds a predefined level in one or more module 3220.

For example, the growth conditions in a module 3220 may efficientlyenable the growth of up to a predefined volume/density of aquatic plantsin each module 3220, for example a layer of aquatic plants approximately3 millimeters thick. The volume/density of aquatic plants in each module3220 may be determined by sensors 372 and/or 374 in communication withcontrol unit 370. When the volume/density of aquatic plants in a moduleincreases to the predefined level, a predetermined amount of aquaticplants may be transferred to the module below and/or harvested. Forexample, if the volume/density of the aquatic plants in the top module3220-n reaches the predefined volume/density (i.e. a layer of aquaticplants 3 millimeters thick), 0.5 milliliters of the aquatic plants maybe transferred from the top module 3220-n to a module 3220-(n−1) underthe top module 3220-n. These aquatic plants are transferred via valve3224-n and a sub-channel 3291 of first vertical raceway 3290. As aresult, the volume of the aquatic plants in the module 3220-(n−1)increases. Subsequently, a portion of aquatic plants in module3220-(n−1) may be transferred or harvested from module 3220-(n−1)through the first vertical raceway 3290. This may occur similarly forevery module 3220 in a stack of modules.

In some embodiments, harvested aquatic plants may be transferred fromeach module 3220 via transition zones 3280 and vertical raceway 3292.During a harvest operation, a portion of aquatic plants in module 3220-nmay be captured in transition zone 3280-p, via valve 3282-p in 3640. Insome embodiments, harvesting may occur at the same time that aquaticplants are being transferred between modules 3220 (see, for example,States C and C* in FIG. 33B). In some embodiments, harvesting may be aseparate and distinct operation. The harvested portion of aquaticplants, along with liquid growth medium, may be transferred toseparation unit 3240 via second vertical raceway 3292 in 3640. Afterpredefined portions of AP are transferred/harvested via valve 3224-nand/or valve 3282-p, respectively every module 3220 would have room togrow more aquatic plants. According to some embodiments, the harvestingrate and the total daily harvest volume may be synchronized with theculture growth rate such that only the accumulated growing biomass isharvested. In some embodiments, different amounts of aquatic plantscould be harvested to meet user demand.

According to some embodiments, the volume of the aquatic plants that istransferred via first vertical raceway 3290 and the volume of theaquatic plants that is captured in each transition zone 3280 arepredetermined by the configuration of static valves 3223 and 3283. Insuch embodiments, control unit 370 may determine the number oftransferring events that occur per day. In some embodiments, the volumeof aquatic plants that is transferred via first vertical raceway and/orcaptured in each transition zone 3280 may be determined by control unit370 controlling electronic valves or dynamic valves, such as valves 3830or 4230 described below in reference to FIGS. 38-43.

After the harvesting operation in 3640, the harvested aquatic plants maybe separated from the liquid growth medium by separation unit 3240 andthe harvested aquatic plants may be sent to harvesting unit 340 in 3645.Separation unit 3240 may include a mechanical filter to separate theaquatic plants from the liquid growth medium. Separation unit 3240 mayfurther or alternatively contain a chemical filter for the purpose ofremoving any type of unwanted element other than the aquatic plants. Insome embodiments, after the aquatic plants are separated from the liquidgrowth medium in 3645, the aquatic plants may be transferred toharvesting unit 340. The harvesting unit 340 may be used to temporarilystore the aquatic plants. Moreover, such aquatic plants may be furtheranalyzed, modified and/or used by one or more external entities.

In 3650, after the separation of the liquid growth medium from theaquatic plants, the liquid growth medium may be cleaned and/or recycledby modification unit 3250. As a non-limiting example, the recyclingprocess may include, a cleaning phase, an analyzing phase, and anenriching phase. Modification unit 3250 may contain a physical filterfor the purpose of sterilizing and/or disinfecting the liquid growthmedium. Such sterilizing and/or disinfecting may be, but is not limitedto, UV irradiation sterilizing and disinfecting methods, ozone (O₃)sterilizing and disinfecting methods, and the like. Modification unit3250 may further or alternatively contain a chemical filter for thepurpose of removing any type of unwanted element. After the cleaningphase, the liquid growth medium may be analyzed to identify, forexample, the temperature and/or the PH of the liquid growth medium.Moreover, the liquid growth medium may be analyzed to identify the levelof one or more essential salts and/or fertilizers found within theliquid growth medium. The essential salts may be, but are not limitedto, nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. In someembodiments, modification unit 3250 may dispose the liquid growth mediumby directing it to first drain outlet channel 3299 a. This may beperformed either manually or automatically by control unit 370.

In 3650, the liquid growth medium may also be modified by modificationunit 3250 (in response to the analysis described above) to provideoptimal growth conditions for the aquatic plants. This process mayinclude dissolving one or more essential salts, fertilizer, etc. intothe liquid growth medium. Furthermore, this process may includeaeration, PH and/or temperature adjustment, and the like. In someembodiments, the liquid growth medium is stored in the storage unit 3260for later use. According to one embodiment, additional liquid growthmedium may be loaded into growing apparatus 3200 from liquid growthmedium source 3265. This may be performed either manually orautomatically by control unit 370 to maintain the level of the liquidgrowth medium in the modules 3220.

In 3655, it is checked whether more aquatic plants need to be harvested,and if so execution continues with 3635; otherwise execution continuesto 3660. In 3660, it is checked whether the cultivation needs to becontinued, and if so execution continues with 3630; otherwise executionterminates. Thereafter, control unit 370 may monitor growing apparatus3200 to determine when to perform any of the steps shown in FIG. 36. Insome embodiments, the volume of the aquatic plants to be harvested maybe determined by a user and/or under the control of control unit 370.

FIG. 37 is an image of a bioreactor 310 according to an embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 37, bioreactor 310 may include a plurality of modules 3220with a plurality of light sources 3222 positioned in between the modules3220. While FIG. 37 shows a bioreactor 310 having multiple modules 3220,a bioreactor 310 may contain any number of modules 3220. FIG. 37 alsoshows two sub-channels 3291 that make up first vertical raceway 3290 andshows a portion of harvesting unit 340 according to one embodiment.

In some embodiments, a bioreactor (e.g., bioreactor 310) may include oneor more dynamic valves for harvesting a portion of a culture. Dynamicvalves may include, for example, rotating, oscillating, or gate-likemechanisms configured to harvest an aquatic plant culture. In someembodiments, the dynamic valves may be configured to harvest a specificand repeatable amount of a culture in subsequent harvesting operations.In some embodiments, the dynamic valves may be configured to harvestvariable amounts of a culture. A control unit (e.g., control unit 370)may be configured to control the dynamic valves based on determiningvarious conditions with a bioreactor as described herein (e.g., aquaticplant density levels).

FIGS. 38-41 illustrate a module 3800 having a dynamic valve 3830according to an embodiment. Module 3800 may include a side wall 3802,two baffles 3804, and a floor 3806 defining a flow area for liquidgrowth medium (LGM) and aquatic plants (AP). Baffles 3804 may define anopen ended center channel 3850 having a proximal opening 3852 and adistal opening 3854. An inlet 3812 may be provided on a proximal end3813 of module 3800 for supplying LGM and/or AP to module 3800 and anoutlet 3814 may be provided opposite inlet 3812 on a distal end 3815 ofmodule 3800 for removing LGM and/or AP from module 3800. In embodimentsincluding stacked modules, inlet 3812 of one module may be in fluidcommunication with outlet 3814 of a module above it (see FIG. 41). Aspout 3810 in fluid communication with inlet 3812 may be provided todirect LGM and/or AP from inlet 3812 onto a flow shaper 3808. Theoperation of flow shaper 3808 is described below in more detail inreference to FIGS. 44 and 45. In some embodiments, floor 3806 mayinclude a ramped floor 3807, the details of which are described inreference to FIG. 50.

In some embodiments, LGM and/or AP may flow from spout 3810, thoughcenter channel 3850 towards distal end 3815, out of distal opening 3854,around the end of baffles 3804, and back towards spout 3810 via outerchannels 3856. LGM and/or AP flowing back via outer channels 3856 may bepulled back into center channel 3850 via proximal opening 3852. Theconfiguration of module 3800 results in continuous circulation of LGMand/or AP within module 3800 during steady state operation, thecontinuous circulation facilitated by the structure of dynamic valve3830.

As shown in FIG. 38, distal end 3815 of module 3800 may include atransition zone 3820 with dynamic valve 3830 situated therein.Transition zone 3820 along with valve 3830 allows a portion of AP to beharvested manually or under the control of control unit 370. As shown inFIGS. 38-41, dynamic valve 3830 may include a mouth 3834 having anopening 3838 for receiving LGM and AP when in an open configuration, themouth being defined by a mouth wall 3836. Dynamic valve 3830 may alsoinclude a valve side wall 3840 connected to and at least partiallysurrounding mouth wall 3836. Valve side wall 3840 may be configured toseal with an outlet wall 3822 in transition zone 3820 when dynamic valve3830 is in a closed position. In other words, valve side wall 3840 maycontact the ends of outlet wall 3822 when dynamic valve 3830 is in theclosed position.

Valve side wall 3840 may be connected to a valve top wall 3842, valvetop wall 3842 being connected to an actuator 3832. In some embodiments,actuator 3832 may be operatively coupled to control unit 370 and controlunit 370 may be configured to control actuator 3832 so as to rotatedynamic valve 3830 between an open position and a closed position (seeFIG. 40). In some embodiments, actuator 3832 may be manually controlledby a user to rotate dynamic valve 3830 between the open position and theclosed position. In some embodiments, dynamic valve 3830 may rotateabout pivot 3844. The configuration of module 3800 and dynamic valve3830 results in a module configuration having a single valve. Asdiscussed below, dynamic valve 3830 in effect preforms the function ofboth static valves 3223 and 3283 (i.e. allows the flow of LGM and/or APbetween modules and/or to harvesting unit 340). In some embodiments,module 3800 may include more than one dynamic valve 3830.

The operation of dynamic valve 3830 will now be described in referenceto FIGS. 39A-41. FIGS. 38 and 39A show dynamic valve 3830 in a closedposition. In the closed position, opening 3838 of mouth 3834 facestowards distal end 3815 of module 3800. In this position, no AP canenter mouth 3834 due to valve side wall 3840. Additionally, valve sidewall 3840 is sealed with outlet wall 3822 to prevent AP from enteringoutlet 3814. However, LGM is allowed to flow underneath valve side wall3840, into mouth 3834, over an adjustable water gate 3824, and out ofmodule 3800 via outlet 3814.

FIG. 39B shows dynamic valve 3830 in an open position. In the openposition, opening 3838 of mouth 3834 faces towards proximal end 3813 ofmodule 3800. In this position LGM and AP are allowed to flow into mouth3834 via opening 3838. In the open position, LGM is still allowed toflow underneath valve side wall 3840 towards outlet 3814. The height ofadjustable water gate 3824 may control the amount of LGM that is allowedto flow in both the open position and the closed position. In someembodiments, the height of adjustable water gate may be controlled bycontrol unit 370.

FIG. 40 shows a full rotation of dynamic valve 3830 during a harvestingoperation. Dynamic valve 3830 is shown in the closed position in Stage 1with only LGM flowing towards outlet 3814 (i.e. steady state operation).When a user and/or control unit 370 determines that a portion of APneeds to be harvested and/or transferred from module 3800, actuator 3832begins to rotate dynamic valve 3830 towards the open position. As shownin Stage 2, as dynamic valve 3830 is rotated towards the open position,AP floating on top of LGM enters opening 3838 and is captured withinmouth 3834. Actuator 3832 continues to rotate dynamic valve to the openposition shown in Stage 3. In some embodiments, the rotation of dynamicvalve 3830 may stop at Stage 3 to allow AP to fill mouth 3834. In someembodiments, the rotation of dynamic valve may be continuous and may notstop at Stage 3. As shown in Stages 4 and 5, dynamic valve 3830completes its rotation by returning to the closed position. When dynamicvalve 3830 returns to the closed position in Stage 5, the AP capturedwithin mouth 3834 flows into outlet 3814. Once all the AP has flowed outof mouth 3834, module 3800 may return to steady state operation as shownin Stage 6. In some embodiments, valve side wall 3840 remains in sealedcontact with outlet wall 3822 during the entire rotation of dynamicvalve 3830.

In some embodiments, the complete rotation of dynamic valve 3830 mayoccur within 1 to 30 seconds. In some embodiments, rather than acomplete rotation, the actuator 3832 may be configured to rotate dynamicvalve 3830 to the open position (Stage 3) and reverse the rotation so asto return dynamic valve 3830 to the closed position. In someembodiments, the half rotations (i.e. from the closed position to theopen position and back to the closed position) may occur in a total of 1to 30 seconds. In some embodiments, control unit 370 may be configuredto repeatedly actuate dynamic valve 3830 via actuator 3832 after apredetermined amount of time has lapsed. This predetermined amount oftime may range from a minute to several hours. In some embodiments,control unit 370 may be configured to rotate dynamic valve 3830 viaactuator 3832 in response to data collected by sensors 372 and/or 374.In some embodiments, a user may manually, either via control unit 370 orby physical operation, rotate dynamic valve 3830 via actuator 3832.

FIGS. 42 and 43 illustrate a module 4200 having a dynamic valve 4230according to an embodiment. Module 4200 may include a side wall 4202 anda floor 4206 defining a flow area for LGM and AP. In some embodiments,module 4200 may include a ramped floor 4207. An inlet 4212 may beprovided on a proximal end 4213 of module 4200 for supplying LGM and/orAP to module 4200 and an outlet 4214 may be provided opposite inlet 4212on a distal end 4215 of module 4200 for removing LGM and/or AP frommodule 4200. In embodiments including stacked modules, inlet 4212 of onemodule may be in fluid communication with outlet 4214 of a module aboveit. A spout 4210 in fluid communication with inlet 4212 may be providedto direct LGM and/or AP into module 4200.

In some embodiments, LGM and/or AP may flow from spout 4210 towards atransition zone 4220 located at distal end 4215 of module 4200. Theconfiguration of module 4200 results in continuous circulation of LGMand/or AP within module 4200 during steady state operation, thecontinuous circulation facilitated by the structure of dynamic valve4230.

As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, transition zone 4220 may have dynamic valve4230 situated therein. Transition zone 4220 along with dynamic valve4230 allows a portion of AP to be harvested manually or under thecontrol of control unit 370. Dynamic valve 4230 may include a body 4240having a body wall 4241. Body 4240 may be connected to a pivot 4238 forrotating dynamic valve 4230 between a closed position and an openposition. An actuator 4232 coupled to pivot 4238 may be configured torotate dynamic valve 4230 between the closed position and the openposition. In some embodiments, actuator 4232 may be operatively coupledto control unit 370 and control unit 370 may be configured to controlactuator 4232 so as to rotate dynamic valve 4230 between the openposition and the closed position. In some embodiments, actuator 4232 maybe manually controlled by a user to rotate dynamic valve 4230 betweenthe open position and the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 43, body 4240 may include a mouth 4242 having a mouthwall 4244 and an opening 4246. Mouth wall 4244 may be in fluidcommunication with a first open end 4250 of a canal 4248. Canal 4248 mayinclude first open end 4250 defined by mouth wall 4244 and a second openend 4252 defined by body wall 4241.

The operation of dynamic valve 4230 will now be described in referenceto FIG. 43. Stage 1 shows dynamic valve 4230 in a closed position. Inthe closed position, opening 4246 of mouth 4242 faces towards distal end4215 of module 4200. In this position, body wall 4241 may be sealed withan outlet wall 4222 such that no AP can enter mouth 4242. Additionally,due to the location of canal 4248, AP floating on top of LGM withinmodule 4200 cannot enter mouth 4242 via canal 4248 in the closedposition. However, LGM is allowed to flow into canal 4248, through mouth4242, and out of module 4200 via outlet 4214. In some embodiments,module 4200 may include an adjustable water gate similar to or the sameas adjustable water gate 3824.

When a user and/or control unit 370 determines that a portion of APneeds to be harvested and/or transferred from module 4200, actuator 4232begins to rotate dynamic valve 4230 towards the open position. As shownin Stage 2, as dynamic valve 4230 is rotated towards the open position,opening 4246 of mouth 4242 rotates towards proximal end 4213 of module4200. Actuator 4232 continues to rotate dynamic valve to the openposition shown in Stage 3. In some embodiments, the rotation of dynamicvalve 4230 may stop at Stage 3 to allow AP to fill mouth 4234. In someembodiments, the rotation of dynamic valve may be continuous and may notstop at Stage 3. In either case, AP floating on top of LGM fills mouth4234 when valve dynamic 4230 is in the open configuration shown in Stage3. As shown in Stage 4, actuator 4232 causes dynamic valve 4230 toreverse its rotation when returning it to the closed position in Stage5. When dynamic valve 4230 returns to the closed position in Stage 5,the AP captured within mouth 4242 flows into outlet 4214. Once all theAP has flowed out of mouth 4242, module 4200 may return to steady stateoperation with only LGM flowing towards outlet 4214 via canal 4248.

In some embodiments, the two rotations of dynamic valve 4230 (i.e. fromthe closed position to the open position and back to the closedposition) may occur within a total of 1 to 30 seconds. In someembodiments, control unit 370 may be configured to repeatedly actuatedynamic valve 4230 via actuator 4232 after a predetermined amount oftime has lapsed. This predetermined amount of time may range from aminute to several hours. In some embodiments, control unit 370 may beconfigured to rotate dynamic valve 4230 via actuator 4232 in response todata collected by sensors 372 and/or 374. In some embodiments, a usermay manually, either via control unit 370 or by physical operation,rotate dynamic valve 4230 via actuator 4232.

Dynamic valves 3830 and 4230, allow the level of AP and/or LGM within anindividual module to be controlled independently. For example, shouldcontrol unit 370 determine that AP in a specific module within a stack(e.g., the third module within a stack) needs to be harvested; controlunit 370 may actuate the dynamic valve associated with the third module,thereby harvesting AP from only that module. Additionally, the design ofdynamic valves 3830 and 4230 provide for a consistent harvestingoperation. The amount of AP harvested each time a dynamic valve isactuated, which may be defined as a % of the overall amount of APdetermined by the area ratio of the valve mouth area to total culturearea, is controlled by the size of mouth 3834/4242. As such, the amountof AP harvested from a module during a single harvesting operation (i.e.a single actuation of valve 3830/4230) is consistent. Consistentharvesting amounts aids in determining how many times a valve 3830/4230needs to be actuated to harvest a certain amount of AP from a module.Moreover, the design of dynamic valves 3830 and 4230 facilitates thecleanliness of the valve. Each transfer and/or harvesting processautomatically cleans the dynamic valves because liquid growth mediumthat is forced through the dynamic valves automatically washes eachcomponent of the valve. This configuration may enable to use of a singleoutput and input channel, thus simplifying the design and increasing therobustness of the system. In addition, no AP is left to dry in or aroundthe valves, thus eliminating potential static contamination “hot spots.”

During steady state operation LGM leaving a module (e.g., module 3220,3800, or 4200) within a stack of modules via outlet (e.g., 2414, 3814,or 4214) may be transferred to the next module within the stack (see,for example, FIG. 41). During a steady state operation, the continuousflow of LGM between modules results in the continuous washing of APwithin each module. This washing results from a relatively high speedswirl flow near the inlet of a module followed by a substantially linearslowing down flow rate that allows AP to resurface. The slowing downflow occurs over a sufficient distance so as to allow viable plants tofloat back to the surface of the LGM before reaching a harvesting valve.

As LGM flows into a module, AP present within that module are forceddownward due to the incoming flow of LGM. This forces AP and anycontaminates, debris, or non-viable AP towards the floor of the module.Viable AP forced towards the floor will resurface due to CO₂ vacuolesnaturally present in individual aquatic plants. In contrast,contaminates, debris, and non-viable AP will remain at the bottom of themodule near the floor. As such, the contaminates, debris, and non-viableAP are allowed to flow through a valve (e.g., below valve side wall 3840in FIG. 39A) with the LGM to the next module in the stack. Eventually,due to the continuous flow of LGM, the contaminates, debris, andnon-viable AP will be transferred from the stack of modules to aseparation unit where the contaminates, debris, and non-viable AP can beremoved.

During a harvesting operation, LGM and AP leaving a module via an outletmay be transferred to either: 1) the next module (see e.g., FIG. 41) or2) directly to the harvesting unit via the second vertical raceway. Inembodiments where LGM and AP are transferred to the next module during aharvesting operation, AP is ultimately “harvested” from only specificmodules within a stack (e.g., the bottom module within a stack) that areconnected to a harvesting unit. Embodiments where LGM and AP are sentdirectly to the harvesting unit serve to isolate the harvestingoperation for each module from the other modules within a stack. Valvesassociated with a module's outlet may direct LGM and AP to either thenext module or directly to the harvesting unit. In some embodiments,these valves may be controlled by control unit 370.

FIG. 44 illustrates a module 4400 having a flow shaper 4408 according toone embodiment. As shown in FIG. 44, module 4400 may include a side wall4402 and a floor 4406 defining a flow area for LGM and AP. LGM and APmay flow into module 4400 via an inlet 4412 and a spout 4410. Flowshaper 4408 may be located on floor 4406 near a proximal end 4413 ofmodule. Flow shaper 4408 may protrude from floor 4406 and include a topsurface 4409. In some embodiments, flow shaper 4408 may be formed aspart of floor 4406. In some embodiments, flow shaper 4408 may be aseparate piece that is releasably or permanently attached to floor 4406.Flow shaper 4408 may be used to shorten the “re-floating distance” andimprove the washing efficiency of aquatic plants flowing within amodule, e.g., module 4400. Module 4400 may also include a transitionzone 4420 and an outlet 4414 located at a distal end 4415 thereof.Transition zone 4420 may include a valve, such as static valve 3283 or adynamic valve 3830/4230 as described above, or valve 5030 describedbelow.

As used herein “re-floating distance” means the horizontal distance,measured in the direction of the liquid growth medium flow from a pointon top surface 4409 or floor 4406 wherein an aquatic plant may be forceddownward by a swirl flow, that is required for a plant to re-surface.The “refloating distance” must be shorter than the distance required toreach an exit point 4411 within transition zone 4420 to ensure thatviable AP does not inadvertently escape module 4400 via transition zone4420 during steady state operation. In some embodiments, the swirl flowmay be derived by the flow of aquatic plants and/or liquid growth mediumexiting inlet spout 4410. Alternatively or additionally, the swirl flowmay be derived locally by a mechanical device, e.g. a propeller, or bydirected airflow, or other liquid flow.

As shown in FIG. 44, AP and/or LGM exiting spout 4410 creates a swirlflow below spout 4410. This swirl flow forces AP, either exiting spout4410 or already present within module 4400, towards floor 4406. The APforced towards floor 4406 will resurface due to its endogenous naturalfloating mechanisms, i.e. tiny air bubbles, naturally present inindividual aquatic plants. The re-floating distance may influence thedimensions of the modules described herein because the operation of somevalves described herein (e.g., valves 3283, 3830, and 4230) requiresthat AP be floating on top of LGM to function properly. For example, ifAP were present below valve side wall 3840 in FIG. 39A, viable AP may beundesirably transferred to a lower module within a stack of modulesduring steady state operation. In such a circumstance, the highermodules within a stack would eventually contain little to no AP. Thiswould be detrimental to achieving uniform growth conditions within eachmodule within the stack.

As illustrated in FIG. 45, the use of flow shaper 4408 results in ashorter re-floating distance for AP across a range of inlet swirl flowrates. The swirl flow rate facilitates the washing of AP, and a highinlet swirl flow rate enables better washing of AP. However, a highinlet flow rate may also result in a long re-floating distance. Flowshaper 4408 reduces the re-floating distance without reducing the inletswirl flow rate, thus optimizing the inlet swirl flow rate to facilitatewashing of AP, and on a system level, optimizing the overall LGM flowrate through modification units. Optimizing the flow rate of LGM througha modification unit may increase the efficiency of the modificationunit. For example, in a modification unit that employs a UV cleaningprocess, optimizing the flow rate of LGM can increase the speed andefficiency of debris and contamination removal within the modificationunit.

In some embodiments, a shorter re-floating distance creates a shorterhorizontal race and allows a module to be shorter in length, therebyreducing its footprint. Alternatively or additionally, a shorterrefloating distance may remove the need to add baffles to a module tocontrol the flow characteristics and ensure that AP are floating whenthey reach a valve, such as valves 3283, 3830, or 4230. In someembodiments, a flow shaper may be employed in concert with one or morebaffles to create a desirable flow characteristic and/or re-floatingdistance. In some embodiments, baffles alone may be used to create adesirable flow characteristic and/or re-floating distance within amodule.

FIG. 46 shows a module 4600 having flow shaper 4608 and two baffles 4604used to control the flow characteristics and the re-floating distance ofAP according to an embodiment. FIG. 46 shows two inlet swirls formedadjacent to the outlet of a spout 4610. The swirls force AP downward andflow shaper 4608 is used to decrease the re-floating distance of the AP.FIG. 46 also shows how baffles 4604 are used to recirculate AP and LGMback towards spout 4610. This recirculation facilities the washing ofall the AP within module 4600.

FIGS. 47A and 47B show an aerial and cross-sectional view of module4600, respectively. Module 4600 may include an inlet 4612 and an outlet4614 both located at a proximal end 4613. Module 4600 may also include aside wall 4602, baffles 4604, and floor 4606 defining a flow area forLGM and AP. LGM and/or AP flowing into module 4600 results in a swirlflow that forces AP downward towards flow shaper 4608. The AP is thendirected into center channel 4650 defined by baffles 4604, centerchannel 4650 including a proximal opening 4652 and a distal opening4654. As LGM and AP move through center channel 4650, the AP is allowedto re-float as it approaches distal opening 4654. When LGM and AP reachdistal opening 4654, viable AP have refloated to the top of the LGMwhile debris, contaminates, and non-viable plants remain near floor4606. The LGM and AP then circulate around the end of baffles 4604 atdistal end 4615 and enter outer channels 4656 on its way back toproximal end 4613.

A portion LGM, and any debris, contamination, or non-viable plantsadjacent to floor 4606 returning towards proximal end 4613 may exitmodule 4600 via outlet 4614. In contrast, the AP floating on top of theLGM and a portion of LGM is recirculated into center channel 4650 due tothe suction created at proximal opening 4652 from the swirl flow createdby LGM and/or AP flowing into module 4600 via spout 4610. In someembodiments, outlet 4614 may include a valve, such as static valve 3223.In some embodiments, distal end 4615 may include a valve, such as valve3283 for harvesting AP from module 4600. In some embodiments, the heightof baffles 4604 may be equal to or greater than the height LGM presentwithin module 4600 during steady state operation. In some embodiments,the height of baffles 4604 may be equal to or greater than the height ofLGM+AP present within module 4600 during steady state operation.

FIGS. 48A and 48B show a module 4800 according to an embodiment. Module4800 may include a side wall 4802, a baffle 4804, and a floor 4806. Aproximal wall 4817 located at a proximal end 4813 of module 4800 alongwith side wall 4802, baffle 4804, and floor 4806 define a flow area forAP and LGM within module 4800. Module 4800 may also include an inlet4812 with a spout 4810 located at proximal end 4813 for supplying APand/or LGM to module 4800. Proximal end 4813 may also include a biomassoutlet 4814 having two outlets, a first biomass outlet 4814 a and asecond biomass outlet 4814 b, for removing AP from module 4800.Additionally, a solution outlet 4816 may be located adjacent to sidewall 4802 and near proximal end 4813 for removing LGM from module 4800.Module 4800 may also include one or more valve mechanisms 4830 locatedin the vicinity of outlets 4814 and 4816 for directing AP to outlet 4814and LGM to outlet 4816. In some embodiments, valve mechanism(s) 4830 maybe located at proximal end 4813 between baffle 4804 and solution outlet4816. Valve mechanisms 4830 may include, but are not limited to, one ormore of the valves discussed herein (e.g., valves 3223, 3283, 3830,4230, 5030, etc.).

Baffle 4804 may extend from proximal wall 4817 towards distal end 4815.In some embodiments, baffle 4804 has a length (l_(b)) between 200 mm and250 mm. In some embodiments, baffle 4804 has a length (l_(b)) between220 mm and 230 mm. In some embodiments, baffle 4804 has a length (l_(b))of 228.50 mm. In some embodiments, module 4800 may have an overallinterior length (l_(m1)) between 350 mm and 400 mm. In some embodiments,module 4800 may have an overall interior length (l_(m1)) of 373 mm. Insome embodiments, the length of the flow area defined by proximal wall4817 and distal end 4815 (l_(m2)) may be between 300 mm and 350 mm. Insome embodiments, l_(m2) is 328 mm.

In some embodiments, module 4800 may have an interior width (w_(m))between 175 mm and 225 mm. In some embodiments, module 4800 may have aninterior width (w_(m)) that is 200 mm. In some embodiments, the interiordiameter of spout 4810 (d_(s)), and the interior diameter of outlets4814 a, 4814 b, and 4816 (d_(o)) may be between 8 mm and 12 mm. In someembodiments, d_(s) and d_(o) are equal to 10 mm. In some embodiments,d_(s) and d_(o) are not equal to each other. In some embodiments, spout4810 is oriented at an angle (θ) relative to floor 4806. The angle θ mayinfluence the swirl flow created adjacent to spout 4810, whichfacilitates the washing of AP within module 4800. In some embodiments, θis between 30° and 60°. In some embodiments, θ is 45°.

In some embodiments, module 4800 has a top wall 4818 defining aninterior volume height (h_(m)). In some embodiments, h_(m) is between 20mm and 30 mm. In some embodiments, h_(m) is 25 mm. In some embodiments,baffle 4804 may have a height (h_(b)) that is equal to h_(m). In someembodiments, h_(b) may be less than h_(m).

FIGS. 49A and 49B show a module 4900 according to an embodiment. Module4900 may include a side wall 4902, two baffles 4904, and a floor 4906. Adistal wall 4916 located at a distal end 4915 of module 4900 along withside wall 4902, baffles 4904, and floor 4906 define a flow area for APand LGM with module 4900. Module 4900 may also include an inlet 4912with a spout 4910 located at a proximal end 4913 for supplying AP and/orLGM to module 4900. Proximal end 4913 may also include an outlet 4914for removing AP and/or LGM from module 4900. Module 4900 may alsoinclude one or more valve mechanisms 4930 located in the vicinity ofoutlet 4914 for directing LGM to outlet 4914. One or more valvemechanisms 4930 may also be located in the vicinity of distal wall 4916for removing AP from module 4900. In some embodiments, one or more valvemechanisms 4930 may be located at or may form part of side wall 4902 atproximal end 4913. In some embodiments, one or more valve mechanisms4930 may be located at or may form part of distal wall 4916 at distalend 4915. Valve mechanisms 4930 may include, but are not limited to, oneor more of the valves discussed herein (e.g., valves 3223, 3283, 3830,4230, 5030, etc.).

Baffles 4904 may extend, at opposing angles relative to distal wall4916, from proximal end 4913 towards distal end 4915, thereby forming acenter channel 4950 having a proximal opening 4952 and a distal opening4954. Baffles 4904 along with side wall 4902 may also define two outerchannels 4956. In some embodiments, baffles 4904 may have a length(l_(b)) between 200 mm and 250 mm. In some embodiments, baffles 4904 mayhave a length (l_(b)) equal to 231.50 mm. In some embodiments, proximalopening 4952 may have a width (w_(b1)) between 30 mm and 35 mm. In someembodiments, w_(b1) may be 32 mm. The width (w_(b1)) of proximal opening4952 along with the swirl flow created by inflowing LGM and/or AP fromspout 4910 may create the desired suction to pull LGM and AP into centerchannel 4950, thus creating continuous circulation of AP and LGM withinmodule 4900. In some embodiments, distal opening 4954 may have a width(w_(b2)) between 80 mm and 85 mm. In some embodiments, w_(b2) may be 82mm.

In some embodiments, module 4900 may have an overall interior length(l_(m1)) between 350 mm and 400 mm. In some embodiments, module 4900 mayhave an overall interior length (l_(m1)) of 380 mm. In some embodiments,the length of the flow area defined by distal wall 4916 and proximal end4913 (l_(m2)) may be between 300 mm and 350 mm. In some embodiments,l_(m2) may be 334 mm. In some embodiments, module 4900 may have aninterior width (w_(m)) between 175 mm and 225 mm. In some embodiments,module 4900 may have an interior width (w_(m)) that is 198 mm.

In some embodiments, the interior diameter of spout 4910 may change froma first diameter (d₁) to a second diameter (d₂), the second diameter(d₂) being smaller than the first diameter (d₁). In some embodiments, d₁may be between 6 mm and 8 mm. In some embodiments, d₁ may be 7 mm. Insome embodiments, d₂ may be between 3 mm and 5 mm. In some embodiments,d₂ may be 4 mm. In some embodiments, the interior diameter of spout 4910may be constant (i.e. d₁=d₂). In some embodiments, the center of spout4910 may be located a distance (h_(s)) above floor 4906. In someembodiments, h_(s) may be between 8 and 10 mm. In some embodiments,h_(s) may be 9 mm. The diameters (d₁ and d₂) of spout and h_(s) mayinfluence the swirl flow created adjacent to spout 4910, whichfacilitates the washing of AP within module 4900. In some embodiments,the interior diameter of outlet 4914 (d_(o)) may be between 8 mm and 12mm. In some embodiments, d_(o) may be 10 mm.

In some embodiments, module 4900 has a top wall 4918 defining aninterior volume height (h_(m)). In some embodiments, h_(m) is between 20mm and 30 mm. In some embodiments, h_(m) is 25 mm. In some embodiments,baffles 4904 may have a height (h_(b)) that is equal to h_(m). In someembodiments, h_(b) may be less than l_(m). In some embodiments, h_(b)may be between 12 mm and 18 mm. In some embodiments, h_(b) may be 15 mm.

While exemplary dimensions have been described above for components ofmodules 4800 and 4900, the size and shape of modules 4800 and 4900 andthe components may be adjusted and/or scaled depending on the desiredfootprint for a bioreactor and/or growing apparatus. For example, amodule having a relatively small size may be preferable for a householdbioreactor used to culture and harvest aquatic plants for a singlefamily while a module having a relatively large size may be preferablefor a large scale bioreactor used to culture and harvest large amountsof aquatic plants for large scale distribution.

FIG. 50 illustrates the operation of a ramped floor 5040 according to anembodiment. FIG. 50 shows a comparison of a module 5000 a without aramped floor and a module 5000 b with ramped floor 5040. Both modules5000 a/b may include a side wall 5002 and a floor 5006 defining a flowarea for AP and LGM. Additionally, both modules 5000 a/b may include anoutlet 5014 in fluid communication with a static valve and/or mechanicalvalve 5030. Static and/or mechanical valve 5030 may include a firstbaffle 5032 and a second baffle 5034 that together are configured toallow LGM to exit modules 5000 a/b and prevent AP from exiting modules5000 a/b. In some embodiments, the height and location of baffles 5032and 5034 may be adjusted, either manually or under the control ofcontrol unit 370, to control the amount of LGM exiting modules 5000 a/b.

As shown on the right side of FIG. 50, floor 5006 of module 5000 bincludes ramped floor 5040 extending across at least a portion of floor5006, exclusive of a valve area 5042 located immediately adjacent tovalve 5030. The ramped floor 5040 does not extend into valve area 5042because valve 5030 requires a minimum level of LGM for optimalfunctionality (a minimum level of LGM is also required for optimalfunctionality of other valves described herein, e.g., valves 3223, 3283,3830, or 4230).

As shown in FIG. 50, ramped floor 5040 occupies space that would beoccupied by LGM in the absence of ramped floor 5040. This reduces theamount of LGM required to fill a module, but still maintains the amountof surface area on top of the LGM that can be used to culture AP. Insome embodiments, ramped floor 5040 may decrease the amount of LGMrequired to fill a module by up to 80%. In embodiments employing aplurality of stacked modules, this significantly reduces the volume ofLGM required to operate a bioreactor, which may significantly reduce thecost of operating the bioreactor and the size/cost of the equipmentneeded to circulate LGM with the bioreactor.

In some embodiments, ramped floor 5040 also defines a cavity 5044. Insome embodiments cavity 5044 may house a light source 5046, such aslight source 3222, for illuminating module 5000 b and/or a module belowmodule 5000 b. In some embodiments, light source 5046 may be light guidefor directing light within cavity 5044 and for illuminating module 5000b and/or a module below module 5000 b (see FIGS. 51A and 51B). Sincecavity 5044 may be used to house at least a portion of light source5046, the overall height of a growing apparatus can be decreased. Inembodiments employing a plurality of stacked modules, a light source foreach module may be at least partially received in cavity 5044 defined byramped floor 5040. In such embodiments, cavities 5044 may reduce theheight required for each module and an associated light source. Forexample, the height may be reduced by 25%. As such, the overall heightof a growing apparatus and bioreactor may be reduced by approximately25%.

While FIG. 50 shows ramped floor 5040 having a rectangularcross-sectional shape, ramped floor 5040 may have any cross-sectionalshape including, but not limited to, an elliptical shape or pentagonalshape. Additionally, while FIG. 50, shows ramped floor 5040 employed incombination with valve 5030, a ramped floor may be used in concert withany of the valves described herein, e.g., valves 3223, 3283, 3830, or4230.

FIGS. 51A and 51B show a module 5100 including a ramped floor 5040 and adynamic valve 3830 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 51A, twoLED light arrays 5102 may be arranged on opposites side of module 5100with two light guides 5104 located between and in optical communicationwith LED light arrays 5102. In some embodiments, light guides 5104 maybe located in cavity 5044 defined by ramped floor 5040. In someembodiments, module 51000 may include a single light guide extendingacross module 5100 for illuminating module 5100 and/or a module belowmodule 5100. In some embodiments, module 5100 may include more than twolight guides for illuminating module 5100 and/or a module below module5100. In some embodiments, LED light arrays 5102 may be at leastpartially disposed within cavity 5044. Module 5100 also includes flowshaper 3808 located on top of ramped floor 5040. Module 5100 provides agood example of how various aspects from different module embodimentsdescribed herein can be combined to produce a module having desirablecharacteristics. It is appreciated at that various aspects of eachembodiment described herein, excluding those that are mutuallyexclusive, may be combined to create a module having desiredcharacteristics.

While various module embodiments have been described or illustratedherein as being within a stack of modules, each module may function as asingle module. In other words, a single module connected to appropriatedevices, such as, for example, an LGM supply and a harvesting unit, maybe used to cultivate and harvest AP. In other words, the various moduleembodiments described herein may not be dependent on other modules tofunction properly. Additionally, while various module embodiments havebeen described or illustrated herein as being a single module, it isappreciated that single modules may be incorporated into module stacks.

FIGS. 52A-52C illustrate a biomass quantification unit 5200 according toan embodiment. In some embodiments, biomass quantification unit 5200 maybe in fluid communication with second vertical raceway 3292. In someembodiments, harvested AP may be transferred via second vertical raceway3292 to separation unit 3240 then to biomass quantification unit 5200via pumping unit 3245. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 52A-52C,at least a portion of separation unit 3240 may be included withinbiomass quantification unit 5200.

Harvested AP along with LGM may be delivered to a holding chamber 5202in biomass quantification unit 5200 via inlet tube 5204. In embodimentswhere at least a portion of separation unit 3240 is included withinbiomass quantification unit 5200, holding chamber 5202 and/or a pumptube 5206 connected to holding chamber 5202 may include one or morefilters 5201 for separating LGM from AP. In other words, holding chamber5202 and/or pump tube 5206 in combination with at least one filer 5201may function as a separation unit. In some embodiments, an inlet valve5205 may control the flow of LGM and AP into holding chamber 5202.

In some embodiments, under steady state operation, inlet tube 5204 maybe connected to bottom module 3220-1 via a sub-channel 3291 or 3293(described in FIG. 32). In some embodiments, biomass quantification unit5200 may be in fluid communication with storage unit 3260 or liquidgrowth medium source 3265 via a pump tube 5206. In some embodiments, LGMmay be flushed through filter 5201 and holding chamber 5202 via the flowof LGM through pump tube 5206, either under pressure provided by pump5208 or due to gravity. Pump tube 5206 may include a pump valve 5207 forcontrolling the flow of LGM and/or AP within pump tube 5206. Flushingfilter 5201 and holding chamber 5202 with LGM forces contamination,particles, debris, and non-viable aquatic plants into holding chamber5202. The contamination, particles, debris, and non-viable aquaticplants, precipitated or suspended in LGM, can then be sent tomodification unit 3250 for removal. If LGM needs to be replaced, pump5208 may be stopped and valves 5205 and 5207 may block the flow frominlet tube 5204 and to pump tube 5206, respectively. When valves 5205and 5207 are closed, outlet valve 5213 may be opened to allow LGM withthe accumulated contamination particles, debris, and non-viable aquaticplants to flow from holding chamber 5202 to first drain outlet channel3299 a via modification unit 3250.

Holding chamber 5202 may include a container 5203 for increasing therefloating rate of viable AP and the build-up of the floating AP layer.After floating AP has accumulated in holding chamber 5202, inlet valve5205 may be closed and pump 5208 may deliver fresh LGM into holdingchamber 5202 via pump tube 5206, thereby causing all floating AP to riseinto measurement tube 5210 (see FIG. 52B). In some embodiments, pump5208 may control the flow of fresh LGM such that floating AP remainswithin measurement tube 5210 for a predetermined amount of time. Duringthis predetermined amount of time a measurement device 5214 may measurethe plant floating volume (PFV) of the separated AP. In someembodiments, pump 5208 may not suspend the floating AP withinmeasurement tube 5210, but rather push the separated AP throughmeasurement tube 5210 continuously. In such embodiments, measurementdevice 5214 may be configured to measure the PFV for the floating AP asthe floating AP is moving through measurement tube 5210. In someembodiments, measurement device 5214 may include an optical devicecapable of measuring absorbance and/or transmission of light thoughmeasurement tube 5210 and/or the reflection of light off of AP withinmeasurement tube 5210. In some embodiments, measurement device 5214 mayinclude a photometer and/or a camera.

After the PFV is measured in measurement tube 5210, pump 5208 may flushmeasurement tube 5210 with additional LGM, thereby transferring theseparated AP out of biomass quantification unit 5200 via transfer tube5216. In some embodiments, transfer tube 5216 is in fluid communicationwith harvesting valve 3275; harvesting valve 3275 being in communicationwith harvesting unit 340 and growing apparatus 3200 (see FIG. 32). Aftermeasurement tube 5210 is flushed with LGM, LGM remaining within biomassquantification unit 5200 may be removed via outlet tube 5212 by openingoutlet valve 5213 (see FIG. 52C).

In some embodiments, the operation of biomass quantification unit 5200is controlled by control unit 370. In some embodiments, control unit 370may be configured read data collected by measurement device 5214 and tocalculate the PVF for separated AP within measurement tube 5210. Thecalculation of PFV may be used by control unit 370 to monitor andcontrol growth conditions within a growing apparatus and/or bioreactor.As a non-limiting example, control unit 370 may be configured to monitorthe growth rate within a module or group of modules by monitoringchanges in PFV. Since valves, such as valves 3830 and 4230, areconfigured to harvest relatively the same amount of AP and LGM eachharvesting operation (due to the fixed size of mouths 3834 and 4242) therelative amounts of AP and LGM harvested in one or more harvestingoperations may provide information related to the growth rate within amodule, growing apparatus, or bioreactor. For example, during optimalgrowing conditions a single harvesting operation from a single modulemay result in separated AP having a PFV of x mL. If the PFV for a singleharvesting operation from a single module begins to decrease below x mL,this may signal that the growth rate within that module is less thanoptimal. Control unit 370 may be configured to monitor the PFV for asingle module overtime and adjust growing conditions within the modulebased on PFV values.

In addition to or as an alternative to adjusting growing conditionswithin a module, control unit 370 may configured to alter the timing ofharvesting operations. For example, if the PFV for a single moduledecreases over time, control unit 370 may increase the time betweenharvesting operations for that module in order to optimize the amount ofAP harvested per harvesting operation. Similarly, if the PFV for asingle module increases over time, control unit 370 may decrease thetime between harvesting operations for that module.

Moreover, measurements of PFV within biomass quantification unit 5200allow control unit 370 to monitor the total output from a module,growing apparatus, and/or bioreactor. Total output allows control unit370 to track amount of AP cultured and harvested and providesinformation related to the efficiency of a module, growing apparatus,and/or bioreactor that can be used to optimize the operation of themodule, growing apparatus, and/or bioreactor.

The in-line PFV measurements performed using biomass quantification unit5200 offer significant advantages over traditional methods that measurethe amount of harvested AP by sampling then counting particles and/orweighing dried biomass of off-line samples. First of all, in-line PFVmeasurements provide real-time values related to the amount of AP beingharvested. Real-time information facilitates quick identification ofproblems and/or errors and allows these problems or errors to be quicklyrectified. Second, in-line viable PFV measurements remove the need foroff-line drying and measuring devices, which can be expensive and timeconsuming. Third, in-line PFV measurements can be performed underconditions that maintain the aquatic plants' viability, thus enablingthe continuation of their cultivation post measurement. For example,after a PFV measurement, control unit 370 may return a harvested portionof AP back to a module, growing apparatus, or bioreactor for furthercultivation. For example, rather than harvesting potentially immatureplants having a low PFV, immature plants may be reintroduced into amodule for further cultivation and growth. Forth, in-line PFVmeasurements do not require the suspension and homogenization of theplants in a solution for accurate sampling. Fifth, in-line PFVmeasurements do not require counting of individual plants. Sixth,in-line PFV measurements do not require the complete separation of thebiomass from the solution, which may be difficult to standardize, yetessential for accurate wet weight measurements.

In the case of aquatic plants, the inventors have discovered a linearrelationship between the wet floating form, the wet form (i.e. notfloating), and dry form of the same aquatic plants. The details of thisrelationship are described below in reference to FIGS. 53-55B.

As illustrated in FIG. 53, viable plants will float on top of LGM withina tube. The volume of this mass of floating AP can be measured if thediameter of the tube and the height of the floating AP is known. The PFVvolume has a linear correlation to the aquatic plants' wet weight (WW).FIG. 54 shows a graph illustrating a linear correlation between PFV andWW for Wolffia. The PFV volume also has a linear correlation to theaquatic plants' dry weight (DW). FIGS. 55A and 55B show graphsillustrating a linear correlation between PFV and DW for Wolffia globosaand Wolffia arrhiza, respectively. As such, PFV measurements provideaccurate measurements related to the amount of harvested biomass and canbe used to calculate WW and DW values. Without being limited thereto,the inventors believe these linear relationships are attributable to an“envelope” or “wall” that surrounds each aquatic plant. This “envelope”or “wall” may be rigid enough to maintain the spherical geometricalshape of individual plants, thus maintaining a constant density for eachvolume unit of plants as plants accumulate, similar to marbles in a jar.

In some embodiments, control unit 370 may store these relationships forany type of aquatic plant in a memory and use them to determine DWand/or WW for a portion of harvested AP.

FIGS. 56-58 illustrate sterilization units 5600, 5700, and 5800according to various embodiments. The sterilization units maysignificantly reduce or prevent contamination of a bioreactor 310 atoutlet or inlet points where at least one component of the bioreactormay be exposed to the external environment. The sterilization unitsprovide a continuous laminar flow (“air curtain”) of sterilized air atthe outlets or inlets. This “air curtain” prevents unwantedcontamination from entering the bioreactor via the outlets or inlets. Insome embodiments, the sterilization units include very little movingparts and no complex mechanisms. The lack of moving parts and complexmechanisms decreases the chance of failure and increases the robustnessof the units. In some embodiments, a sterilization unit may be formed aspart of other units in the bioreactor 310. For example, as discussedbelow, sterilization units 5700 and 5700 may be formed as part of outputunit 360. While FIGS. 56-58 show specific embodiments of sterilizationunits, the sterilization units may be used to prevent contamination of abioreactor via any inlet or outlet located on the bioreactor.

FIG. 56 shows a sterilization unit 5600 for preventing undesirablecontamination at an outlet 5616 of an output unit 360 of a bioreactor310. Sterilization unit 5600 may be connected to an outlet tube 5614 andoutlet 5616 configured to deliver foodstuff, a medicinal substance, acosmetic substance, a chemical substance, or other useful products to auser. Sterilization unit 5600 may include an air pump 5602 operativelyconnected to ambient air, a HEPA filter 5604, an air supply tube 5606,and a biomass supply tube 5610.

In some embodiments, air pump 5602 and HEPA filter 5604 may also be usedin connection with air supply 3230 that supplies air to modules 3220 forculturing aquatic plants. Air pumped from outside the bioreactor (e.g.,bioreactor 310) is sterilized using HEPA filter 5604 before entering airsupply tube 5606. Biomass (i.e. AP and/or LGM) may be supplied to outputunit 360/sterilization unit 5600 from harvesting unit 340 or processingunit 350 via biomass supply tube 5610. A valve 5612 may be used tocontrol the flow of harvested and/or processed biomass into output unit360/sterilization unit 5600.

As shown in FIG. 56, air supply tube 5606, biomass supply tube 5610, andoutlet tube 5614 meet at a junction 5608. In some embodiments, airsupply tube 5606, biomass supply tube 5610, and outlet tube 5614 meet atjunction 5608 having a “Y” configuration with air supply tube 5606 andbiomass supply tube 5610 oriented at an angle θ relative to each other.Preferably, θ is about 45° or less. An angle of 45° or less facilitateslaminar flow of biomass and air at junction 5608.

Air and biomass flowing though junction 5608 flow together down outlettube 5614 towards outlet 5616. The flow of air and biomass throughjunction 5608 and down outlet tube 5614 creates an “air curtain” thatblocks any contamination from entering the bioreactor via outlet 5616.The length of outlet tube 5614 may be adjusted to allow for the highestair flow rate while still maintaining a controlled, unified, laminarflow from junction 5608 to outlet 5616. The laminar air flow iscontinuous before, during, and after biomass flows into junction 5608and through outlet 5616. The air flow rate may be controlled and may bealtered between batches of biomass delivered from harvesting unit 340 orprocessing unit 350. Control unit 370 may control the flow of air and/orbiomass such that they flow together in a laminar, directed, unified,and controlled manner.

FIG. 57 shows a sterilization unit 5700 for preventing undesirablecontamination at an outlet 5716 of an output unit 360 of a bioreactor(e.g., bioreactor 310). The output unit 360 in FIG. 57 may be configuredto deliver foodstuff, a medicinal substance, a cosmetic substance, achemical substance, or other useful products into a cup 5720 placed on atable top 5722 via outlet tube 5714 and outlet 5716. Sterilization unit5700 may include an air pump 5702, a HEPA filter 5704, an air supplytube 5706, and a biomass supply tube 5710. Air pump 5702, HEPA filter5704, air supply tube 5706, and biomass supply tube 5710 are the same orsimilar to air pump 5602, HEPA filter 5604, air supply tube 5606, andbiomass supply tube 5610 described above in reference to FIG. 56 andhave the same functions and characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 57, air pump 5702, HEPA filter 5704, valve 5712,harvesting unit 340, and other portions or all of a bioreactor may behoused within a housing below a housing surface (e.g., a table top)5722. While surface 5722 is shown in FIG. 57, the bioreactor may behoused within other suitable enclosures, such as but not limited to,behind a wall, within a bar enclosure, below a floor, or partially orfully within any other suitable enclosure.

Biomass (i.e. AP and/or LGM) may be supplied to output unit360/sterilization unit 5700 from harvesting unit 340 via biomass supplytube 5710 and valve 5712. Similar to FIG. 56, air supply tube 5706,biomass supply tube 5710, and outlet tube 5714 meet at a junction 5708having a “Y” configuration with air supply tube 5706 and biomass supplytube 5710 oriented at an angle θ relative to each other. Preferably, θis about 45° or less.

FIG. 58 shows a sterilization unit 5800 for preventing undesirablecontamination at first drain outlet channel 3299 a associated withmodification unit 3250 of a bioreactor. Sterilization unit 5800 mayinclude an air pump 5802, a HEPA filter 5804, an air supply tube 5806,and a biomass supply tube 5810. Air pump 5802, HEPA filter 5804, airsupply tube 5806, and biomass supply tube 5810 are the same or similarto air pump 5602, HEPA filter 5604, air supply tube 5606, and biomasssupply tube 5610 described above in reference to FIG. 56 and have thesimilar functions and characteristics.

Biomass (i.e. AP and/or LGM) may be supplied to sterilization unit 5800from modification unit 3250 via biomass supply tube 5810 and valve 5812.Similar to FIG. 56, air supply tube 5806, biomass supply tube 5810, andoutlet tube 5814 meet at a junction 5808 having a “Y” configuration withair supply tube 5806 and biomass supply tube 5810 oriented at an angle θrelative to each other. Preferably, θ is about 45° or less.Sterilization unit 5800 creates an “air curtain” that blocks anycontamination from entering the bioreactor via first drain outletchannel 3299 a when LGM and/or AP is being drained from the bioreactor.

One or more aspects of the inventions shown in FIGS. 1-58, or anypart(s) or function(s) thereof, may be implemented using hardware,software modules, firmware, tangible computer readable media havinginstructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof and may beimplemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems.

FIG. 59 illustrates an exemplary computer system 5900 in whichembodiments, or portions thereof, may be implemented ascomputer-readable code. For example, portions of distribution system2600 or bioreactor system 300, such as, control units 2612, 2614, and370, or network 380, may be implemented in computer system 5900 usinghardware, software, firmware, tangible computer readable media havinginstructions stored thereon, or a combination thereof and may beimplemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commerciallyavailable processing platform or a special purpose device. One ofordinary skill in the art may appreciate that embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer systemconfigurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems,minicomputers, and mainframe computers, computer linked or clusteredwith distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computersthat may be embedded into virtually any device.

For instance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used toimplement the above described embodiments. A processor device may be asingle processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof.Processor devices may have one or more processor “cores.”

Various embodiments of the inventions may be implemented in terms ofthis example computer system 5900. After reading this description, itwill become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how toimplement one or more of the inventions using other computer systemsand/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as asequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed inparallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and withprogram code stored locally or remotely for access by single ormulti-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order ofoperations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of thedisclosed subject matter.

Processor device 5904 may be a special purpose or a general purposeprocessor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in therelevant art, processor device 5904 may also be a single processor in amulti-core/multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in acluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm.Processor device 5904 is connected to a communication infrastructure5906, for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-coremessage-passing scheme.

Computer system 5900 also includes a main memory 5908, for example,random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory5910. Secondary memory 5910 may include, for example, a hard disk drive5912, or removable storage drive 5914. Removable storage drive 5914 mayinclude a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical diskdrive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive 5914reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 5918 in awell-known manner. Removable storage unit 5918 may include a floppydisk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by and written toby removable storage drive 5914. As will be appreciated by personsskilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit 5918 includes acomputer usable storage medium having stored therein computer softwareand/or data.

Computer system 5900 (optionally) includes a display interface 5902(which can include input and output devices such as keyboards, mice,etc.) that forwards graphics, text, and other data from communicationinfrastructure 5906 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display ondisplay unit 5930.

In alternative implementations, secondary memory 5910 may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into computer system 5900. Such means may include, for example, aremovable storage unit 5922 and an interface 5920. Examples of suchmeans may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such asthat found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as anEPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units5922 and interfaces 5920 which allow software and data to be transferredfrom the removable storage unit 5922 to computer system 5900.

Computer system 5900 may also include a communication interface 5924.Communication interface 5924 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 5900 and external devices. Communicationinterface 5924 may include a modem, a network interface (such as anEthernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or thelike. Software and data transferred via communication interface 5924 maybe in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic,optical, or other signals capable of being received by communicationinterface 5924. These signals may be provided to communication interface5924 via a communication path 5926. Communication path 5926 carriessignals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, aphone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communicationchannels.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computerusable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removablestorage unit 5918, removable storage unit 5922, and a hard diskinstalled in hard disk drive 5912. Computer program medium and computerusable medium may also refer to memories, such as main memory 5908 andsecondary memory 5910, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs,etc.).

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmain memory 5908 and/or secondary memory 5910. Computer programs mayalso be received via communication interface 5924. Such computerprograms, when executed, enable computer system 5900 to implement theembodiments as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs,when executed, enable processor device 5904 to implement the processesof the embodiments discussed here. Accordingly, such computer programsrepresent controllers of the computer system 5900. Where the embodimentsare implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computerprogram product and loaded into computer system 5900 using removablestorage drive 5914, interface 5920, and hard disk drive 5912, orcommunication interface 5924.

Embodiments of the inventions also may be directed to computer programproducts comprising software stored on any computer useable medium. Suchsoftware, when executed in one or more data processing device, causes adata processing device(s) to operate as described herein. Embodiments ofthe inventions may employ any computer useable or readable medium.Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are not limited to,primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory),secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIPdisks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices,MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.).

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments of the present inventions ascontemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit thepresent inventions and the appended claims in any way.

The present inventions have been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functionalbuilding blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenienceof the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the inventions that others can, by applyingknowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent inventions. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

The breadth and scope of the present inventions should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be definedonly in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

The claims in the instant application are different than those of theparent application or other related applications. The Applicanttherefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in the parentapplication or any predecessor application in relation to the instantapplication. The Examiner is therefore advised that any such previousdisclaimer and the cited references that it was made to avoid, may needto be revisited. Further, the Examiner is also reminded that anydisclaimer made in the instant application should not be read into oragainst the parent application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bioreactor system, comprising: a cartridgecontaining an aquatic plant culture; and a bioreactor comprising: aninput unit comprising a compartment configured to receive the cartridgeand an extractor configured to remove the aquatic plant culture from thecartridge; a growing unit for growing the aquatic plant culture, thegrowing unit comprising: a light source, and a module comprising abottom wall and side walls configured to contain a volume of aquaticplants; and a control unit comprising a processor configured to: read anidentification label associated with the cartridge received at the inputunit to obtain cartridge identification information; and send thecartridge identification information to a server.
 2. The bioreactorsystem of claim 1, wherein the bioreactor further comprises a memory;and wherein the processor of the control unit is further configured tostore the cartridge identification information in the memory.
 3. Thebioreactor system of claim 1, wherein the server comprises a databasefor storing the cartridge identification information.
 4. The bioreactorsystem of claim 1, wherein the processor of the control unit is furtherconfigured to: record a time stamp of when the aquatic plant culture isremoved from the cartridge and; send the time stamp to the server. 5.The bioreactor system of claim 4, wherein the server is configured totrack the distribution of the cartridge based on the cartridgeidentification information and the time stamp.
 6. The bioreactor systemof claim 4, wherein the server is configured to perform at least one ofthe following actions based on the cartridge identification informationand the recorded time stamp: (a) request a new cartridge shipment forthe bioreactor; (b) adjust a shipment date for a subsequent cartridgeshipment; (c) adjust an aquatic plant culture in a cartridge for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (d) customize contents of a cartridge tobe sent to a specific location; (e) send a status report for thebioreactor to a central processing location; (f) adjust growthconditions in another bioreactor; (g) adjust a medium for a subsequentcartridge shipment; (h) adjust a fertilizer stock solution for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (i) adjust a harvesting schedule inanother bioreactor; and (j) adjust one or more substances housed withina cartridge for a subsequent cartridge shipment.
 7. The bioreactorsystem of claim 6, wherein the server is configured to adjust theharvesting schedule in the another bioreactor, and wherein adjusting theharvesting schedule in the another bioreactor changes a life stage atwhich another aquatic plant culture is harvested and packaged intoanother cartridge.
 8. The bioreactor system of claim 6, wherein theserver is configured to adjust the harvesting schedule in the anotherbioreactor, and wherein adjusting the harvesting schedule in the anotherbioreactor changes the time within a life stage at which another aquaticplant culture is harvested and packaged into another cartridge.
 9. Thebioreactor system of claim 1, wherein the processor of the control unitis further configured to: receive an image from an imaging systemdisposed in the bioreactor, the imaging system comprising at least oneimage sensor configured to image the aquatic plant culture in thecartridge; determine at least one characteristic of the aquatic plantculture based on the image; and send data related to the at least onecharacteristic of the aquatic plant culture to the server.
 10. Thebioreactor system of claim 9, wherein the server is configured toperform at least one of the following actions based on the determinationof a characteristic of the aquatic plant culture: (a) request a newcartridge shipment for the bioreactor; (b) adjust a shipment date for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (c) adjust an aquatic plant culture in acartridge for a subsequent cartridge shipment; (d) customize contents ofa cartridge to be sent to a specific location; (e) send a status reportfor the bioreactor to a central processing location; (f) adjust growthconditions in another bioreactor; (g) adjust a medium for a subsequentcartridge shipment; (h) adjust a fertilizer stock solution for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (i) adjust a harvesting schedule inanother bioreactor; (j) adjust one or more substances housed within acartridge for a subsequent cartridge shipment; (k) accept the aquaticplant culture and transfer the aquatic plant culture to the growingunit; and (l) reject the aquatic plant culture.
 11. The bioreactorsystem of claim 10, wherein the server is configured to adjust theharvesting schedule in the another bioreactor, and wherein adjusting theharvesting schedule in the another bioreactor changes a life stage atwhich another aquatic plant culture is harvested and packaged intoanother cartridge.
 12. The bioreactor system of claim 10, wherein theserver is configured to adjust the harvesting schedule in the anotherbioreactor, and wherein adjusting the harvesting schedule in the anotherbioreactor changes the time within a life stage at which another aquaticplant culture is harvested and packaged into another cartridge.
 13. Thebioreactor system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge identificationinformation comprises information related to the aquatic plant culturecontained within the cartridge.
 14. The bioreactor system of claim 1,wherein the aquatic plant culture contained in the cartridge comprisesan aquatic plant culture selected from the group consisting of:Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna, Wolffiella, and Wolffia.
 15. The bioreactorsystem of claim 1, wherein the growing unit is configured tocontinuously mimic an exponential growth condition for the aquatic plantculture so as to continuously grow the aquatic plant culture in itsexponential growth life stage.
 16. The bioreactor system of claim 1,wherein the aquatic plant culture contained in the cartridge comprisesan aquatic plant culture in at least one of the following life stages:exponential growth stage, pre-exponential growth stage, and dormantstage.
 17. The bioreactor system of claim 1, wherein the extractor isconfigured to automatedly remove the aquatic plant culture from thecartridge within the input unit.
 18. The bioreactor system of claim 1,wherein the cartridge comprises a plurality of sealed capsules and atleast one of the plurality of sealed capsules contains the aquatic plantculture.
 19. The bioreactor system of claim 1, further comprising anincubation unit for receiving the aquatic plant culture from the inputunit, the incubation unit comprising: a light source, and a modulecomprising a bottom wall and side walls configured to contain a volumeof aquatic plants.
 20. The bioreactor system of claim 19, wherein theprocessor of the control unit is further configured to: receive datafrom one or more sensors disposed in the bioreactor, the one or moresensors comprising at least one image sensor configured to image theaquatic plant culture in the incubation unit; determine at least onecharacteristic of the aquatic plant culture based on the data from oneor more sensors; and send data related to the at least onecharacteristic of the aquatic plant culture to the server.
 21. Thebioreactor system of claim 20, wherein the server is configured toperform at least one of the following actions based on the determinationof a characteristic of the aquatic plant culture: (a) request a newcartridge shipment for the bioreactor; (b) adjust a shipment date for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (c) adjust an aquatic plant culture in acartridge for a subsequent cartridge shipment; (d) customize contents ofa cartridge to be sent to a specific location; (e) send a status reportfor the bioreactor to a central processing location; (f) adjust growthconditions in another bioreactor; (g) adjust a medium for a subsequentcartridge shipment; (h) adjust a fertilizer stock solution for asubsequent cartridge shipment; (i) adjust a harvesting schedule inanother bioreactor; (j) adjust one or more substances housed within acartridge for a subsequent cartridge shipment; (k) accept the aquaticplant culture and transfer the aquatic plant culture to the growingunit; and (l) reject the aquatic plant culture.
 22. A system for growingan aquatic plant culture, the system comprising: a cartridge containingan aquatic plant culture; a server; and a bioreactor in communicationwith the server, the bioreactor comprising: an input unit comprising acompartment configured to receive the cartridge and an extractorconfigured to remove the aquatic plant culture from the cartridge; agrowing unit for growing the aquatic plant culture, the growing unitcomprising: a light source, and a module comprising a bottom wall andside walls configured to contain a volume of aquatic plants; and acontrol unit comprising a processor configured to: read anidentification label associated with the cartridge received at the inputunit to obtain cartridge identification information; and send thecartridge identification information to the server.
 23. The system ofclaim of claim 22, wherein the server is configured to coordinatedistribution of the cartridge to the bioreactor based on one or more of:a need for an additional amount of the aquatic plant culture containedin the cartridge, a distribution time required to send the cartridge tothe bioreactor, and a life stage of the aquatic plant culture containedin the cartridge.
 24. The system of claim 22, wherein the aquatic plantculture contained in the cartridge comprises an aquatic plant cultureselected from the group consisting of: Spirodela, Landoltia, Lemna,Wolffiella, and Wolffia.
 25. A bioreactor for growing an aquatic plantculture, the bioreactor comprising: an input unit comprising acompartment that receives a cartridge containing an aquatic plantculture, the input unit comprising and an extractor configured to removethe aquatic plant culture from the cartridge; a growing unit configuredto continuously grow the aquatic plant culture in its exponential growthlife stage by continuously mimicking an exponential growth condition forthe aquatic plant culture, the growing unit comprising: a light source,and a module comprising a bottom wall and side walls configured tocontain a volume of aquatic plants; and a control unit comprising aprocessor configured to: read an identification label associated withthe cartridge received at the input unit to obtain cartridgeidentification information; and send the cartridge identificationinformation to a server.
 26. A bioreactor system, comprising: acartridge containing an aquatic plant culture, and comprising acartridge identification label; and a bioreactor comprising: an inputunit comprising: a compartment configured to receive the cartridge, anextractor configured to remove the aquatic plant culture from thecartridge, and a cartridge identification label reader configured toread cartridge identification information from the cartridgeidentification label on the cartridge received in the input unit; agrowing unit for growing the aquatic plant culture, the growing unitcomprising: a light source, and a module comprising a bottom wall andside walls configured to contain a volume of aquatic plants; and acontrol unit comprising a processor configured to: receive the cartridgeidentification information from the cartridge identification labelreader; and send the cartridge identification information to a server.